Congested diaries and the unavailability of some of the accused resulted in the trial of several Chinese businesspeople and one Namibian being delayed until next year. 

The accused, who allegedly defrauded the finance ministry of N$3.5 billion in revenue, were supposed to plead to the charges, but it was postponed to 19 November for a status hearing on the availability of the Chinese accused, who currently resides in China.

He was granted authorisation to be absent due to the high travel costs involved between Namibia and China. Deputy Judge President Shafimana Ueitele set down the date for plea taking as 20 January next year to run until 24 April, and that it should run uninterrupted. 

The accused group comprises Namibian national Laurensius Julius and Chinese businessmen Tao Huizhong, Yuiqua Haung, Zhihua Gao, Hongying Jia, Coa Shuhua, Li Dan, Ying Zhang and seven other entities. They are facing 1 580 counts of tax evasion, fraud and money laundering involving N$3.5 billion.

Julius, alongside Chinese businessman Jack Huang and co-accused Chinese nationals, were arrested in 2017 for allegedly having a hand in the N$3.5 billion loss incurred by the Ministry of Finance between 2010 and 2016. 

One of the accused, Jinrong Huang, fled the country and died in China, according to media reports. According to police and forensic accounting evidence presented during the accused’s formal bail hearing, the ministry suffered losses of the substantial amount in question as a result of the under-declaration of the value of goods imported into Namibia and on which customs duties were supposed to be paid. 

Investigations instigated by the Bank of Namibia revealed there was an outflow of foreign currency from Namibia. During the investigation, it was discovered that N$3.5 billion was shipped out of the country through Julius’ business Xtreme Customs Clearing Services, amongst others. 

Investigators unearthed that imports were under-declared at customs and over-declared at the bank, resulting in losses of billions of dollars to Namibia. 

The evidence indicated there was a huge difference in the amount presented at the bank for deposit and that presented at customs for clearance. 

The amount allegedly paid to foreign beneficiaries does not correlate to the amount on the invoices. 

The substantial amount is said to have been remitted to offshore accounts through a local bank.

All accused persons are currently on bail, ranging between N$500 000 and N$1.5 million, respectively.  The accused are represented by Dirk Conradie, Sisa Namandje and Louis du Pisani and the State is represented by Henry Muhongo. 

-rrouth@nepc.com.na