Maria Amakali

A man, who was arrested for allegedly swindling defence minister Frans Kapofi off his money, will take the stand next year to answer to the allegations.

Owen Mahoto (29) will be tried on two counts of fraud with two alternative charges of theft. During his court appearance before Windhoek magistrate Umunavi Kamboua, Mahoto, an electrical engineer by profession, was informed the State has finalised investigations into his case and the matter is ready for trial.

The court allocated 6 to 7 March 2023 for a plea and trial. The prosecution is alleging that the first charge of fraud with an alternative charge of fraud emanates from an incident in which he allegedly enticed Kapofi to provide him with his banking details.

The State is alleging he pretended to be a bank official and informed Kapofi the bank detected suspicious transactions, where money was being deducted from his account – and to stop the deductions, he needed his banking details.

Mahoto then allegedly stole Kapofi’s N$200 000. This incident took place on 24 August 2022. In the second matter, where Mahoto is facing a charge of fraud with an alternative count of theft, the prosecution alleges he defrauded and stole N$22 271 from Windhoek-based Weinberg Hotel.

It is alleged that on 19 August 2022, he led the hotel staff to believe he settled his bill through an electronic transfer by providing false proof of payment when he knew it was not a legitimate payment.

The two cases have since been combined. Mahoto is out on N$5 000 bail with reporting conditions. His bail has been extended till his appearance on 6 March 2023. Mahoto is represented by Trevor Brokerhoff with Lineekela Absalom prosecuting for the State.

- mamakali@nepc.com.na