A woman accused of defrauding a private school in Windhoek of more than N$2,8 million is due to go on trial on 12 May this year.

Maria Johanna Coetzee (52), is expected to plead to 18 counts of fraud, alternatively 12 counts of theft, six counts of attempted theft, and a charge of money-laundering.

Judge Dinnah Usiku ordered that the trial should start on 12 May, and continue until 16 May.

Coetzee, who was free on bail of N$10 000 since March 2019, was eventually tracked down in Pretoria, South Africa, after she fled Namibia while on bail. She was extradited last year. 

She is accused of defrauding 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 State is alleging that Coetzee tried to transfer a total amount of N$3,38 million from the school’s account to her own accounts, but that six of the transactions she tried to carry out were declined. She successfully transferred N$2,8 million to her accounts, it is alleged.

The fraud or theft and money-laundering were committed from March to October 2018, the State is alleging. The fraud was discovered on 23 October 2018 by the treasurer of the school board, Francois Aylot. 

The accused allegedly made out irregular and unauthorised electronic fund transfers disguised as legitimate payments to creditors. 

The transfers which 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. 

The transfers which were not successful comprised N$490 234.52 to Inland Revenue; N$6 759.14 to V Hamukoto; N$18 730.34 to K van Rooi; N$9 474.80 to C George-Banda; N$23 963.53 to J Stroh; and N$18 369 to S Behrens.

She is being represented by Janita von Wielligh, and the State by Timo Itula. 

-rrouth@nepc.com.na