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Home / Suspect in massive VAT fraud case out on bail
Suspect in massive VAT fraud case out on bail
2016-01-19Staff Report 2 Windhoek One of the people who face fraud charges involving N$140 million from the Receiver of Revenue was granted bail of N$20 000 in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Joshua Kaviyu, a Namibian, is the first and only accused who has thus far been granted bail. Kaviyu is part of a group of 15 Angolans and two Namibians, who were nabbed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in December. Two Namibians allegedly connived with several Angolans to help them submit false tax refund claims to the Receiver of Revenue. The other accused are: Mamsy Mweneni Hilma Nuuyoma, a Namibian, while the Angolan nationals were identified as Lukau Nestor, Benvindo Momafuba, Pembele Zimutu, Paulo Kiala, Joaquim Pedro Espanhol, Joao Manuel dos Santos, Tatiana Luquena Muchadu Gonga, Carlos Victor Eliseu, Isaac Cativa Cupessala, Paquete Americo Kapayola Jose, Eugenio Pio do Amaral Gougel, Malakias Tomas Rufine, Paulino Manuel Natal, Carlos Felecoano Tchinduku and Miapa Aurelio Nelson. Hidinwa, the first accused, alone faces a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud, while he and his co-accused face charges of fraud, forgery and uttering. They were arrested at the VAT office near the Deutsche Höhere Privatschule in Windhoek, while trying to claim tax refunds. The arrests came as a result of ongoing investigations at the request of the finance ministry into cases where Value Added Tax (VAT) receipts were forged to claim refunds from the Receiver of Revenue.He was granted bail by Magistrate Ilge Rheent on the following conditions: that he not interfere with any known and unknown suppliers of commodities purportedly exported by his Angolan clients, either charged jointly with him or still to be charged. He should also not interfere with Aveshe Consultancy employees and Ministry of Finance employees dealing with VAT claims. He should surrender his travel documents to ACC senior investigator Carrel Patrick Cloete and should not apply for new travelling documents. Furthermore, Hidinwa should report to the ACC offices in Windhoek twice a day between 08h00 and 10h00 and from 15h00 to 17h00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The matter was then remanded to April 29. Advocate Constance Moyo is representing the State. 2016-01-19Staff Report 2
