WINDHOEK – Magistrate Cosmos Endjala on Friday imposed a fine of N$4 000 on Elizabeth Boois, 43, in the Regional Court in Katutura or in default of payment, one year in prison for using her position for self-gratification.
Magistrate Endjala sentenced Boois to N$5 000 or two years in prison, of which N$1 000 and a year were suspended for a period of five years on condition that she is not convicted of the crime of contravening section 43 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 8 of 2003, during the period of suspension.
Boois was employed by the Ministry of Finance as a registry clerk earning a salary of N$6 000 per month and after deductions she remained with a salary of N$2 500. Boois pleaded guilty to the charge.
She pleaded with the court to consider imposing a sentence with an option of fine in the amount of N$1 000 payable in monthly instalments.
Boois told the court the reason she committed the offence was due to her high water and electricity bills.
Magistrate Endjala when delivering judgment pointed out that Boois benefited from her deed in the amount of N$20 000.
“This makes the offence serious as the accused committed this offence by virtue of her employment as a public officer and in a position of trust,” said the magistrate before meting out the fine.
Boois said she committed the offence due to financial constraints, however, she had enough time to reconsider her actions during the period of October 2010 to September 2012, but she did not desist, said the magistrate.
“No doubt that crimes of this nature especially involving large amounts of money must inevitably result in sentences of some severity,” Endjala said further.
“However, it counts heavily in favour of the accused that she is a first offender who also pleaded guilty,” stated the magistrate.
By Tunomukwathi Asino