Windhoek – Tsumeb businesswoman Precious Kamwi was arrested last week for allegedly securing lucrative tenders by bribing officials at the Namibia Development Corporation (NDC).
New Era learned that her company was awarded tenders worth around N$400 000, through questionable means by allegedly giving kickbacks to an – as yet unnamed – NDC official. Kamwi was arrested on October 1.
The 56-year-old faces an Anti-Corruption Act charge, relating to tenders for allegedly receiving gratification. She is also facing a count of fraud. When she appeared in court on Friday, her rights were explained to her and she indicated that she would hire private lawyer Chris van Sittert to represent her.
Prosecutor Ivann Tjizu informed the court that the police investigations were still ongoing, as company records and witness statements have to be obtained and there are a number of co-accused to be added to the charge. The amount involved is N$400 000, he added. Tjizu proposed that bail in the amount of N$20 000 be set down and further requested that the matter be remanded to November 25 for further investigation.
The Windhoek Magistrate’s Court granted Kamwi bail of N$20 000 on Friday.
She was granted bail on condition that she hand her passport and all travelling documents to the Anti-Corruption Commission. She may also not apply for new travel documents while the matter is pending. Additionally, she has to report to the Tsumeb police station in person every Friday between 08h00 and 12h00 and has to inform the investigating officer if she intends to travel outside of Tsumeb.
Kamwi informed the court that she does not have N$20 000 to cover the cost of bail. When Magistrate Celma Amadhila asked her how much she could afford, she replied that it would depend on how much people “can give me”.
by Tunomukwathi Asino