Iuze Mukube
The prosecution in the Namcor corruption saga has contended that ex-logistics manager, Cedric Willemse, pocketed bribes and kickbacks from fugitive Victor Malima to sway the controversial deal between Namcor and Enercon.
Advocate Basson Lilungwe, who made the remark last Friday during the bail hearing, claimed Willemse received backhands from Malima after he had approved the asset purchase agreement between the two entities.
He argued that the investigating officer will testify that the transaction of N$1.4 million, dated 21 July 2022, which was paid by Eco Trading -an entity linked to Malima- to Willemse, formed part of the unlawful proceeds.
Willemse explained that the funds were payment for transportation and containers, but Lilungwe argued that they were bribes from Malima, even if they were disguised and concealed, in what looked like legitimate invoices.
Lilungwe also stated that the investigating officer will testify that the assets, properties that Willemse bought within a period in August 2023 were a result of having received N$960 000 as a bribe on 28 July 2022.
A bank statement Lilungwe put on record, portrayed that Willemse on 1 August 2023, bought a quad bike for N$45 000, a generator for N$25 000, a Mahindra bakkie for N$30 000, and another quad bike for N$15 000 on 3 August 2023.
On 18 August 2022, the prosecution also stated that the accused sent an amount of N$200 000 to his daughter in South Africa, which was also part of the bribe received on 15 and 20 July 2022.
Willemse stated the N$200 000 was in fact given to his ex-wife as part of a settlement for divorce.
Lilungwe claimed that the two payments made towards a Land Cruiser bakkie by Willemse in the amount of N$300 000, also formed part of kickbacks received from having facilitated the asset purchase agreement.
Additionally, Lilungwe stated Willemse took from the unlawful proceeds and made a payment in the amount of N$110 000 towards an Isuzu truck.
He stated that the investigating officer will testify that as a result of Willemse being a member of the credit limit committee at Namcor, he allowed, alongside Olivia Dunaiski and Jennifer Hamukwaya, for Erongo Petroleum to get fuel above their credit limit.
The accused did this to get bribes, the State said.
It also questioned Willemse on the reason why fuel was supplied in the amount of NS266 million to Erongo Petroleum, which it owes Namcor, while it had a credit limit of N$10 million with the State-owned fuel company.
Willemse attributed this instances or anomaly where customers exceeded their credit limit to different factors in the credit policy, explaining that such instances were done to keep customers and to ensure the oil company reap billions in revenue.
However, he denied that he was responsible for the credit limit saga as he was not part of the committee at the time.
On the other hand, Lilungwe also found it strange that Willemse was receiving N$19 800 into his account every two days from his so-called business dealings.
Willemse explained that it was not every single day and attributed the reason to the ATM limit of N$20 000.
Lilungwe stated that huge transactions were made from 15 July 2022 to 26 May 2023 into the personal account of Willemse and stated that the investigating officer will come and testify that, in fact, Willemse owes tax in the amount of NS20 million.
Willemse stated that while there is a notice from NamRA that he owes tax, it is not in the amount of N$20 million but N$4.2 million, which is still in dispute with the revenue agency.
Lilungwe also argued that Willemse is a flight risk, pointing out to the accused’s frequent travel between Namibia and South Africa. He said that the accused may still be in possession of the properties or assets that Willemse testified he sold. The prosecution further revealed that the accused had, at one time, attempted to flee after being taken to the hospital when he allegedly claimed he was sick.
The matter continues in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court today.
–mukubeiuze@gmail.com