Iuze Mukube 

Magistrate Jozanne Klazen has granted bail to oil-rot fraud and corruption accused Panduleni Ndimba Hamukwaya, noting that his continued detention would leave three minor children without the care of either parent. 

Hamukwaya, with his wife, Jennifer Hamukwaya and other individuals were arrested last year in connection with alleged fraud and corruption at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor). 

Nearly at the end of October 2025, he brought an application to be released out on bail, days after his wife was denied bail in September. 

He is facing four charges in contravention of the Anti- Corruption Act, a count of money laundering in contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, and theft. 

Hamukwaya testified that he sought for bail because of his innocence and that he is a father of two minor children and a family child he took in. 

He stated his wife was also in custody and that his children were left without parents to take care of them. 

He indicated that his children were suffering emotionally due to the couple’s incarceration.He also pointed out that he has businesses which needs his instructions or involvement. 

He accounted that the money he received from Quality Meat Supply or Victor Malema was for a wildlife project he intended to start on his resettlement farm. 

Magistrate Klazen noted the personal circumstance of the accused, including owning a home, a farm and a resettlement farm. 

She stated that it is common cause that he has two minor children that are school going and who have been left without parental supervision due to the arrest and detention of both their parents. 

She also stated that it is undisputed that the children are being cared for by an employee (the nanny) of the accused and an aunt who occasionally looks in on them. 

She stated that she was satisfied that the accused had shown on a balance of probabilities that he is a good candidate to be granted bail. 

She added that it would be in the interest of the public and the administration of justice that he be admitted to bail pending the finalisation of his trial. 

She gave conditions for him on bail, including that he must hand in his passport to the investigating officer and should not obtain new travelling documents. 

Additionally, Hamukwaya must report three times every week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to the investigating officer. 

He is not allowed to leave the district of Windhoek without permission and should not interfere with state witnesses or with police investigations. 

He was given bail to the amount of N$200 000. Hamukwaya is the seventh accused to be granted bail, with inclusion of Cedric Willemse, Lydia Elindi, Connie van Wyk, Heidi Boois, Martha Antindi and Johanna Mundjego. 

On the other hand, some of his co-accused including Immanuel Mulunga, Peter Elindi and Malakia Elindi, Olivia Dunaiski and Leo Nandago are awaiting to hear on 27 March 2026 on whether their bail appeal will succeed or not in the Windhoek High Court. 

The state alleges that between the period of May 2022 to December 2022, Hamukwaya received N$1.5 million from Quality Meat Supplies through his company, Panduleni Farming. 

The state further alleges that the monies were proceeds of unlawful activities from the asset purchase agreement between Namcor and Enercon. 

–mukubeiuze@gmail.com