2015-10-14Staff Report 2 Windhoek Well-known fashion designer Hambeleleni ‘Hem’ Matsi pleaded not guilty to fraud charges when she stood before the Windhoek Magistrate’s court last week. She is facing charges of fraud and defeating or obstructing the course of justice. Matsi allegedly connived with people to burn her car, so that she could claim insurance money of N$75 000. She was arrested in December and released on bail of N$5 000. Matsi pleaded not guilty when she made her second appearance before court recently. Represented by Willem Visser, the charges were explained to her and she replied that she understood the charges: “I am pleading not guilty”. Visser informed the court that they will not disclose the basis of their defence. The matter was remanded to March 7, 2016 for the Prosecutor General’s decision on how to proceed with the matter. Matsi is a fashion designer and medical technologist. She owns a fashion label, called Hemline. She started in fashion five years ago as a hobby, but it soon grew into a viable business. At the time she was arrested in December it was reported that a second suspect would be arrested, but to date it is not clear whether anyone else has been arrested in connection with the fraud case. 2015-10-14Staff Report 2
