Iuze Mukube
The prosecution in a matter pertaining to the defrauding of a private school to the value of N$2.8 million, filed an application yesterday seeking to compel the convicted fraudster to repay the State N$2.5 million.
State advocate Timo Itula made oral submissions yesterday before Acting Judge Makapa Simasiku in terms of section 32 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).
Itula made the inquiry in terms of the section 32 for the purpose of issuing a confiscation order against the accused, Maria Johanna Coetzee.
Firstly, he made the two-fold application that first sought to enquire into the benefits the accused may have derived from the proceeds of the alleged unlawful activity, specifically on Coetzee’s count of money laundering.
The prosecution then sought to have the court make an order for confiscation, that will compel the accused to repay the money stolen from Windhoek International School to the State in the amount of N$2.8 million.
Itula stated the order must entail that in the next 30 years, when the accused acquires employment and earns an income, the State will attach a specific an amount from her income, in the hope of repaying the stolen money.
He conceded that since the Coetzee has already repaid an amount of N$267 000, she will have to pay back N$2.5 million.
The accused, represented by Janitha von Wieliehg, raised no objection to the application since there is no dispute that the school made a loss of N$2.8 million.
However, she argued the loss should also encompass the money that she repaid to the school in the amount of N$267 000.
Judge Simasiku reserved the ruling on the application and it will be delivered together with the sentence on Monday, 6 October 2025.
Coetzee was convicted on 18 counts of fraud, alternatively 12 counts of theft, six counts of attempted theft and a charge of money laundering.
The State alleged Coetzee defrauded the Windhoek International School, where she was employed as a financial manager, by paying more than N$2,8 million from a bank account of the school into three bank accounts in her own name.
The offences are alleged to have been committed from March to October 2018, where Coetzee allegedly made irregular and unauthorised electronic fund transfers disguised as legitimate payments to creditors.
The transfers that were successful consisted of N$136 518.64 to AFPF; N$495 108.66 to Inland Revenue; N$343 371 to Methealth; N$48 204.12 to Loan Accounts Nedbank; N$14 686.66 to the Social Security Commission; N$39 570.55 to the City of Windhoek; N$5 770.62 to Bank Windhoek; and another N$149 017.21 to AFPF.
It also included Ed N$341 878 to Methealth; N$536 045.73 to Inland Revenue; N$359 147.15 to Methealth; and N$348 200 to Methealth.
None of the payments, however, reached their supposed destination and were instead paid into one of her bank accounts.