Windhoek magistrate Linus Samunzala has granted N$5 000 bail, with conditions, to a former employee of the Namibia Institute of Pathology, who allegedly falsely pretended that Covid-19 tests were genuinely tested and resulted in negative outcomes.
The magistrate ordered Uuika Nuunyango (34) not to interfere directly or indirectly with police investigations or witnesses; otherwise, her bail will be cancelled.
He further remanded the matter to 1 November for police investigations to be completed.
During her bail application, which was opposed by the State, Nuunyango denied she committed any of the offences preferred against her. She further indicated she will abide by any conditions the court sets and will attend her hearings religiously.
Nuunyango further informed the court she has a seven-year-old orphaned girl she adopted and for whom she is solely responsible.
According to her, the child is now living with her sister, who is unemployed and has two of her own children to look after.
She further informed the court that the situation at the Klein Windhoek Police Station, where she is detained, is very unpleasant, as they are eight in a tiny cell, with no sanitiser available.
She further said they sleep on the floor on mats without blankets, and that the conditions at the holding cells are such that it is virtually impossible to consult with her lawyer.
She further said she was employed as an enrolled nurse at NIP and was responsible for collecting samples for analysis, record keeping, patient care, collection of money owed to NIP, capturing of client’s data, receiving and dispatching of test results as well as rectification of wrong data on the system.
She, however, told the court that in her suspension letter from NIP, she was informed that her access to NIP was terminated – and as such, she would not be in a position to interfere in the investigation or the witnesses, as she has no idea who the witnesses are.
Samunzala said he is satisfied that Nuunyango is not a flight risk and that she will stand her trial if released on bail.
He further said that in his opinion, the fear of the State that the accused will interfere in investigations or with State witnesses can easily be addressed by the imposition of conditions.
Nuunyango is facing a charge of fraud and using false documents by an agent, and for corruptly using office or position for gratification or benefit as well as forgery and uttering.
It is alleged by the State that she wrongfully, unlawfully, falsely and with intent to defraud gave out and pretended to the NIP and the State that 53 Covid test results were genuinely tested and resulted negative for Covid-19; she did there and then by means of the false pretences induce NIP and the State to the actual loss of N$54 230.