WINDHOEK – Two staff members of the Katutura Magistrate’s Court who face a charge of fraud, alternatively theft, forgery and uttering, for allegedly stealing N$207 200 meant for child maintenance from the same court where they worked were finally granted bail on Tuesday.

The two suspects, Novengi Uarino (26) and Fatima Tjihoreko (27), appeared before Magistrate George Mbundu.

They were each granted bail of N$15 000 however Tjihoreko has to report to the Wanaheda police station every Monday and Friday at 07h00 and 19:00, while Uarino has to report to the Windhoek police station on the same days and similar times.

The two were also warned not to leave the borders of Namibia pending the finalisation of the case and they were further cautioned not to interfere with police investigations.

The matter was remanded to November 25 for further police investigations.

The charge sheet indicates they stole N$207 200 from the department responsible for child maintenance through false claims.

The theft happened between 2011 and 2013. They two allegedly embezzled the money by pretending that claims for payment were submitted at the maintenance section.

State prosecutor Anthony Wilson opposed bail because the investigations are at an infant stage.

There is also a case pending in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court against Erastus Shaama, who worked as a court interpreter at the Katutura Magistrate’s Court, and his cousin Asser Shakumeni Ndongo, who both face a charge of theft linked to the disappearance of N$3 million from a walk-in safe.

The theft took place between February 16 and April 16, 2009. Shaama was arrested on August 16, 2011 and granted bail of N$10 000 on October 27, while Ndongo was arrested a few days later and to date the N$3 million some of which was reportedly splurged on a luxury vehicle has not been recovered.

 

By Tunomukwathi Asino