WALVIS BAY – A man accused of defrauding a local businessman of N$2.5 million while pretending to be Swapo vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah had the personal details of the victim, which helped him in the scam.
Detective Chief Inspector Fenni Kalimbo testified that upon his arrest, Immanuel Nowaseb was found with sensitive information relating to local businessman Jose Luis Bastos, whom he managed to defraud to the tune of N$2.5 million. Nowaseb was also found in possession of a letter of demand addressed to Fishcor, and a voice-changing application on his cellphone.
“He had fishing company documents. He was also in possession of a letter indicating that the victim was owed N$58 million by Fishcor,” Kalimbo stated during cross-examination during Nowaseb’s bail application hearing, which is ongoing in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court.
The witness indicated that the documents were found on a phone owned by Nowaseb, the same phone he used to communicate with Bastos.
Kalimbo also told the court that the accused allegedly created a business profile under Nandi-Ndaitwah’s name.
“Files and audio were discovered from the accused person’s phone after it was sent for forensic analysis,” he said.
In his earlier testimony, Kalimbo said Nowaseb allegedly also impersonated finance minister Ipumbu Shiimi on WhatsApp.
“There is a legitimate fear that once the accused person is released on bail, there is no doubt that he will interfere with witnesses known to him,” the witness said.
According to him, Nowaseb had on numerous occasions indicated that he would delay the case until Bastos, who is currently 87 years old, dies so that the State would not have a case against him.
Kalimbo also testified that Nowaseb could be a flight risk once released on bail as he previously violated his bail conditions when he applied for travel documents.
“The accused violated these conditions. He applied for a travel document and travelled to South Africa, where he spent some of the victim’s money,” continued Kalimbo.
He told the court that only N$300 000 was recovered from the N$2.5 million Nowaseb allegedly fraudulently received from Bastos.
The accused was arrested in Okahandja in February after he allegedly defrauded Bastos of N$2.5 million between November 2022 and 27 January 2023. The prosecution is alleging that Nowaseb pretended to be Nandi-Ndaitwah, who was sourcing campaign funding for the 2022 Swapo presidential election campaign.
Nowaseb, who has been in prison since his arrest, is represented by Albert Titus.
The case has been postponed for the continuation of the bail hearing.
edeklerk@nepc.com.na