Iuze Mukube
The latest development of the alleged corruption surrounding Namcor has escalated the total number of accused to 11.
The widening Anti-Corruption Commission-led investigation brought Austin Elindi and Connie van Wyk to the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court yesterday for their first appearance after their arrest on Monday.
The two were formally added to the list of accused that includes former head of Namcor Immanuel Mulunga, fellow executives Cornelius Willemse, Jennifer Hamukwaya, Olivia Dunaiski, businessmen Peter Elindi, Malakia Elindi, his wife Lydia Elindi, Panduleni Hamukwaya and Leo Nandago.
With the inclusion of the entities also alleged to be involved in the so-called Oil-rot saga, including Enercon, Onyeka Clearing and Forwarding, Nyambali Medical Centre, Panduleni Farming, Parkwood Petroleum Logistics, and Erongo Petroleum, the total number of accused in the matter is 17.
This excludes the fugitive Victor Malema of Eco Fuels, who allegedly fled the country minutes before a nationwide search was evoked.
Austin, the son of corruption-charged businessman Peter Elindi and the owner of Erongo Petroleum, was charged on seven counts, including fraud, two counts of corruptly giving gratification, conspiracy and four counts of money laundering.
Van Wyk, Enercon’s CEO, was charged on four counts, including conspiracy, two counts of money laundering and dealing with, using, holding, receiving, or concealing gratification.
Among the counts, the State alleges that Austin and Van Wyk conspired with others to receive fuel from Namcor without paying for it, and in turn, Namcor made a loss of N$238 million.
The State objected to bail on grounds of the seriousness of the offence, risk of absconding, and the possibility that they might interfere with ongoing investigations and State witnesses.
It requested that the accused be remanded in custody pending a formal bail application, and because Austin is a reserve police officer, he was ordered to be given a separate cell.
The matter was postponed to tomorrow for the fixing of a date for their formal bail application.
Due to the advanced stage at which their co-accused’s bail hearing is, the two will have a separate bail hearing.