ONGWEDIVA–Police in Outapi are investigating a case of fraud, corruption, and theft in which three senior church members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (Elcin) Western Diocese Nakayale are implicated.

The three allegedly defrauded the church of close to N$3.5 million. The alleged crime took place between March and May 2016.

According to Omusati police commander, Commissioner Ishmael Basson, it is alleged that the suspects acted in their official positions or capacity to unlawfully and intentionally defraud the Elcin church institution for their own interest. “No arrests have been made yet and the investigation continues,” said Basson. It is alleged that the money was paid to the church in March 2016 by the finance ministry for outstanding rent, repair, and renovation of the Ongwediva andOkahao primary schools in Oshana and Omusati regions, respectively.

The money was paid to the church’s western diocese, whose head office is in Outapi. This money could not be accounted for. Information on how exactly the three had a hand in the missing funds is not clear.

In a newsletter issued in August last year, one of the church’s senior pastors, Joseph Shikuma, requested that the church investigate the suspects.

The police report also states that Shikuma is the complainant in the matter.

Approached for comment, he was reluctant about divulging further information.

“I am not at liberty to talk to the media at this point because it might jeopardise the ongoing investigations. The matter is in the hands of the police,” he said. Approached for comment, one of the accused said a committee has been formed to investigate the matter, and until now, no one has confronted him. “I am only hearing the allegations, but till now nobody has approached me, not even the diocese council, the newly formed committee, or the police,” he said. He refused to confirm or deny the allegations, only saying, “Unfortunately, at this stage. I have little to say.”

Similarly, the two other accused also refused to comment on the matter. The church has, for the past years, been marred by claims of disunity and tribalism.

* New Era yesterday named the three accused persons on our social media posts about the incident before they were charged and appeared in court. We regret the oversight.

- ashikololo@nepc.com.na