2008-07-14Staff Report 2 By John Ekongo WINDHOEK The Anti-Corruption Commission has nabbed immigration officials, Abraham Ludwig Willemse (39) and Ambrosius Hanabeb (31), both stationed at Ariamsvlei Border Post, for allegedly receiving bribes. The two are accused of breaching the Anti-Corruption Act. According to the ACC, a complaint was lodged by a whistleblower that three Zimbabweans were about to leave Namibia for Zimbabwe through Gobabis. The Zimbabweans had false entry and departure dates entered into their passports. The ACC alleged that the accused received N$600 for this. The Zimbabweans provided testimony under oath that they bribed Willemse and Hanabeb to endorse an extended stay in the country after their authorised period of stay had expired. They approached the two immigration officers who allegedly endorsed departure and arrival stamps in their passports in order to make it look as if they had entered and left Namibia legally. They also endorsed further extension of a 90 days' visiting period, contrary to immigration laws and regulations. The accused appeared before a Karasburg magistrate, after the Zimbabweans positively identified them during an identification parade. Willemse has a pending case of another incident in which he is alleged to have endorsed an expired visitor's permit. Meanwhile, the ACC will next week conduct an anti-corruption regional seminar in the Karas Region to sensitise the public about the evils and dangers of corruption. 2008-07-14Staff Report 2
