WINDHOEK – The matter in which a former private secretary to the Director of Extension and Engineering Services, stands accused of embezzling N$121 749 from government, will proceed in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court today (Thursday).
Joyce Zussino, 29, will plead to the charges.
She stands accused of having defrauded the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry of N$121 749.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) agents nabbed Zussino on March 5, this year and Zussino made her routine first court appearance on the same day.
A statement released by the ACC at the time after her arrest said Zussino had a company called Tuahafa-Zussino Creations that provided services to the ministry.
She had a role in obtaining quotations from the ministry to which her company also submitted quotations, despite the fact she was privy to insider information and pricing of the other suppliers.
In addition, it is alleged she did not have the required permission to perform external remunerative work.
She faces nine counts of contravening Section 36 of the Anti-Corruption Act, Act No. 8 of 2003 as per indictment.
Section 36 of the Anti-Corruption Act stated, “A public officer commits an offence who knowingly and corruptly, and otherwise than as a member of a registered joint stock company consisting of more than 20 persons, acquires or holds, directly or indirectly, a private interest in any contract, agreement or investment emanating from or which is made on account of the public body.”
She is free on bail of N$20 000.