By Tunomukwathi Asino
WINDHOEK – Five people were recently arrested for allegedly swindling N$4,9 million from the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Among the five is an official from the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Jane Ndapandula Kashiyukile, while the other four are linked to a company with a tender from the health ministry.
Sources close to the multi-million dollar case informed New Era the five accused – who already made an initial court appearance – connived in depositing N$4,9 million in a bank account, supposedly belonging to the company contracted by the health ministry.
Kashiyukile was allegedly informed the bank account of the company contracted by her ministry had changed from the one initially provided and that she must deposit money in a new account.
Kashiyukile allegedly complied with the instruction. To see if the money had indeed been deposited, an initial N$500 was allegedly withdrawn from an ATM.
After that the accused allegedly proceeded to withdraw N$2 million from inside the bank, raising suspicion among bank officials.
The bank informed law enforcement authorities who then arrested Manuel Heyn, 52, Brown Rasta Abraham, 39, Jacobus Totie Gurirab, 43, and Berend Johannes Neels, 49.
The five have already appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court and were granted bail of N$50 000 each.
After arguments and counter-arguments between defence lawyers of the accused and the prosecution, their bail was reduced to N$30 00 on Monday.
All five face two counts of corruption under the Anti-Corruption Act, including corruptly using an office or position for gratification.
Kashiyukile was arrested on 19 June, while Heyn and Abraham were nabbed the following day. Gurirab and Neels were arrested on 24 June.
Last month they were first granted bail of N$50 000 and their legal representatives approached the court to have the bail reduced.
By Monday this week, all accused were still in custody. The matter is currently on the roll for purposes of bail, Prosecutor Henry Muhongo told the court.
Muhongo initially argued that N$50 000 bail is a reasonable amount, given the amount of money involved in the alleged theft.
Mbushandje Ntinda, from Sisa Namandje & Co. is representing Kashiyukile, while Heyn is represented by Hipura Ujaha.
The matter was remanded to 29 August and all accused were warned to appear in court that day.