A report on handwriting specimens from the Namibia Police Forensic Science Institute is at the root cause of an almost year-long delay in the trial of Ondangwa-based magistrate, Liwena Walter Mikiti, in the Windhoek High Court before acting Judge Eileen Rakow.

The report, which is to determine the handwriting on claims submitted, is still outstanding, and Judge Rakow postponed the matter to 14 February next year for status hearing.  

Mikiti is accused of duping insurance giant Santam Namibia of N$234 555 in fraudulent insurance claims.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges when his trial started in November last year.

He did not enter a plea explanation, and only confirmed his not guilty pleas through Section 115 plea, read into the record by then-legal representative advocate Slysken Makando.

According to the 115 plea, he put the proof of all the allegations on the State and make use of his right to remain silent.  

The charges emanate from an alleged car insurance fraud committed during June 2014.

According to the charge sheet, Mikiti was the owner of a 2009 Mercedes Benz C180K BE Classic that was insured by Santam Namibia through Welwitchia Insurance Brokers.

The vehicle was involved in a chain collision with three other vehicles on the Oshakati Main Road near Oneshila on 13 June 2014 and sustained minor damages but could still be driven afterwards.

However, the indictment read, Mikiti submitted a claim that indicated the accident occurred on 14 June 2014 and that his motor vehicle sustained extensive damages that rendered it a total write-off.

It is further alleged that Mikiti used the particulars of the accident of 13 June 2014 and the accident report issued for that accident when he claimed from the insurance.

According to the State, it was on the basis of those particulars that Sanlam Namibia paid Mikiti the total sum.

According to the State, Mikiti misrepresented to Sanlam that his motor vehicle was involved in an accident on 14 June and not 13 June 2014, and that it sustained damages beyond economical repairs; that it was a 2010 model instead of a 2009 model; that the other party in the accident was a Johannes Kaujeua; that the accident scene on the 14th was attended by a police officer, and that he was entitled to claim from his insurance.

He did this, the State alleges, while he knew the damages that caused his vehicle to a write-off was not sustained during the accident of 13 June 2014 and that he made alterations to the accident report prepared on 13 June.

The trial is continuing today, and Mikiti, who is now represented by Pieter Greyling, is free on bail.

The prosecution is represented by advocate Timo Itula.         

- rrouth@nepc.com.na