Iuze Mukube
The trial of Morne du Plessis, who stands accused of committing fraud to the tune of N$4.2 million for funds that were allegedly intended for the procurement of over 100 000 exercise books, has been postponed for continuation to next year.
Windhoek High Court Acting Judge Herman January postponed the matter to 23 March 2026 after hearing that the accused’s lawyer is unavailable due to other engagements.
The matter will commence with the defence stage of the trial when it returns to the court.
The State alleges that Du Plessis and Nico Kisting entered a verbal agreement that Du Plessis would supply Kisting with 1 835 000 exercise books that he had to deliver to the Central Government Stores for a tender he had won.
It is further stated that the 40-year-old Du Plessis misrepresented to Kisting that he had reliable suppliers in China and he had the capacity to source the books and supply them on time.
However, it is alleged that, upon receiving the N$4.2 million, the accused converted the whole amount to his own use without delivering any stationery to the complainant.
In a plea explanation rendered to the court, Du Plessis said that he had no criminal intent when he used funds deposited into the account of his company, Extreme Stationery, to pay for 1 835 000 exercise books to be ordered from China.
He explained that it was just a business transaction that went horribly wrong.
He admitted that he received the money from the Development Bank of Namibia as instructed by the complainant in the matter, Kisting.
However, after he received the funds, he was instructed by Kisting to deposit N$300 000 into the account of Kisting’s company, Kisnic Supplies, which he did.
He further said that Kisting, thereafter, requested small amounts of money from him on several occasions which he paid either in cash or through e-wallet. He also said that at one stage he paid Kisting an amount of N$50 000 from one of his companies.
According to the accused, he was informed by Kisting that the amounts he provided may be deducted from the N$4 234 000, which never happened.
He further said that he made a payment of N$1 million to his supplier in China as a deposit for the books. However, the books were manufactured, but not released as a result of a lack of funds, he said.
According to him, his companies lost four tenders and two contracts with a combined value of over N$10 million at that stage.
He further said, he tried to take over the debt of Kisting at the Development Bank of Namibia, but the bank would not allow it.
“I never intended to steal the complainant’s money as I have to date repaid the complainant N$3.9 million,” he stated.
On the other hand, Kisting testified that he took out a loan of N$4.5 million from the Development Bank of Namibia and sent N$4.234 million to Du Plessis to pay for the books but the books were never developed.
The matter continues next year in the High Court.
The accused is represented by Boris Isaacks and the State by Erich Moyo.