Iuze Mukube 

A 53-year-old gambler, who was convicted of defrauding a private school of N$2.8 million during her tenure as the financial manager, was sentenced to an effective seven-year prison term on Monday. 

Windhoek High Court Acting Judge Makapa Simasiku sentenced Maria Johanna Coetzee to 10 years. However, the court suspended three years of the sentence for five years on the condition that she does not get convicted of fraud during the suspension period. 

Coetzee further received a five-year prison sentence for the count of money laundering, but it will run concurrently with the sentence for fraud. 

In addition, the State’s confiscation order against Coetzee was granted, and she would have to repay N$2.5 million to the State out of the N$2.8 million she stole. 

Coetzee was convicted on 18 counts of fraud and one count of money laundering on 24 September. 

The court concluded that she transferred N$2.8 million from the Windhoek International School into her personal accounts and disguised the transfers as legitimate payments to creditors. 

In delivering the sentence, Judge Simasiku stated that Coetzee had abused the position of trust placed in her by the school, adding that her actions had caused a staggering financial loss exceeding N$2.8 million. 

“The money was intended for vital school operations, meaning the theft severely set the institution back, yet only a small portion of N$267 000 has been recovered,” said the judge. 

He further stated that “this was not a crime of necessity, but a selfish act motivated by a need to satisfy a gambling addiction, a fact made worse by her inability to explain how she spent most of the funds.” 

He continued that the offence was not an isolated mistake by the accused, pointing out that Coetzee committed fraud 18 times. 

In addition, the judge stated that Coetzee’s meticulous exploitation of systemic vulnerabilities for self-enrichment portrays an expert in deceit. 

He added, “The level of dishonesty and greed displayed by the accused is appalling.” 

“Her actions are a slap in the face to the students, teachers, and parents who work hard to make the school a positive and productive environment,” he said. 

He further stated that a custodial sentence was necessary to serve as a deterrent to others in similar positions of trust and as a validation to those who choose to be honest and trustworthy, rather than committing similar offences, as in this case. 

However, several mitigating factors in favor of the accused were pointed out by the judge, including trauma from sexual abuse in childhood and several illnesses, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), amongst others, stating that they may have contributed to her conduct. 

He also noted these factors did not justify her actions. 

She was represented by Janita von Wielligh, and the State Was Represented by Timo Itula. 

–mukubeiuze@gmail.com