2015-10-06Staff Report 2 Windhoek The matter in which Karel Grunschloss and Ministry of Finance tax investigator Eustace Mujohn Mujohn face a charge of soliciting a N$1 million bribe will proceed on February 2 next year. The matter involving Grunschloss the Tsumeb-based businessman was recently remanded in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court. Prosecutor Joseph Andreas informed the court the investigations were not finalised, as statements still have to be obtained and the forensics report filed. After spending three weeks in police custody, the two were granted bail in April. Mujohn and Grunschloss were granted bail by Magistrate Ruth Herunga after a bail application. Mujohn was granted bail of N$20 000, while Grunschloss was granted bail of N$500 000. As part of their bail conditions, Grunschloss and Mujohn may not contact any of the witnesses in their case following their release on bail. Grunschloss and Mujohn are charged with three counts in terms of the Anti-Corruption Act. They are accused of having conspired to commit offences under the Anti-Corruption Act, corruptly using a public office or position to obtain gratification, and using a false document with the intention to mislead people. Grunschloss allegedly approached a Walvis Bay businessman during February and March this year claiming he could - through his senior contact in the Ministry of Finance’s division responsible for tax audits - help the businessman obtain favourable tax audit reports for his business in return for a payment of N$1 million. The coastal businessman reported the matter to the ACC, and more than a dozen conversations in which he and Grunschloss subsequently discussed Grunschloss’ proposal were recorded. Grunschloss was arrested at a restaurant in Windhoek after he and the Walvis Bay businessman had a meeting, during which Grunschloss showed him the supposed audit report that he could obtain for N$1 million. By the time they had that meeting, Grunschloss had allegedly emailed to the whistleblower a false invoice from one of his businesses, Logistix International, which was supposed to serve as a cover for the payment of N$1 million that he was soliciting, Becker alleged. Mujohn was allegedly feeding Grunschloss with confidential information on tax audits carried out by the Ministry of Finance, which Grunschloss then used to try to extract payments from people. Magistrate John Sindano presided. Orben Sibeya represented Mujohn, while Jan Wessels represented Grunschloss. 2015-10-06Staff Report 2
