Iuze Mukube
Windhoek magistrate Olga Muharukua on Thursday postponed the bail application of ex-Namcor supply manager Cedric Willemse to 7 October 2025 for final submissions.
The defence is expected to file its written submissions by 26 September, while the State is expected to do the same by 1 October, before oral arguments are to be heard in court by 7 October.
Before the postponement being made, contention was on whether Willemse poses a flight risk if he is released on bail.
The State argued, by way of its witness, ACC lead investigator Oberty Inambao, that Willemse’s dual nationality makes him likely to abscond, arguing that had the accused known the gravity of the offence, he would have fled just like fugitive Victor Malima.
Inambao added that although he couldn’t confirm if Willemse knew the suspects or witnesses in the case, Willemse should know who they are as he was dealing with some at the time the offence happened, hence the likelihood of interfering with State witnesses if released on bail.
He pointed out that they are trying to avoid the scenario of Willemse succeeding in running away from the country to South Africa, as it would cause a delay in the case to have him arrested and sent back.
The officer made an example of another individual who was implicated in the Fishrot case and managed to run away to South Africa, portraying how difficult it is to bring individuals back, especially when they want to evade justice.
He told the court that “your worship, as far as we are concerned, the life of Mr. Willemse has changed the moment we arrested him. So, meaning in terms of flight risk, that time he was travelling freely, but, right now there’s this case which is hanging over his head. So the risk of abscondment and disappearing into South Africa is there.”
On the other hand, the contention that there was evidence that Willemse wanted to escape, was diluted by the questioning of the officer by defence lawyer Boris Isaacks.
Through the lawyer’s relentless questioning in cross-examination, it came to be revealed by Inambao that the allegation that he tried to escape while on the way to the hospital was simply a suspicion.
Inambao stated that they did not have evidence, nor did he testify that Willemse wanted to escape, but that the commission believed the chance of escaping was high.
“This was a suspicion,” he said.
He added that there was a high likelihood that the accused wanted to relocate to South Africa, pointing out that he still has the money in SA for the properties that he allegedly sold.
“So, there’s nothing that keeps him here. So, if he wants to go, he can go.”
He added that the commission believes there is a likelihood that Willemse may have tipped off Malima about the matter, which enabled him to flee the country.
He said this happened when officers went to Willemse’s residence to arrest him, only to find him hiding in his bathroom, where he may have been communicating with Malima and other suspects at the time.
The matter involving former Namcor head Immanuel Mulunga and his co-accused will return to court this Friday for the delivery of the judgement for their bail application before magistrate Linus Samunzala.