Katima Mulilo – Three people accused of defrauding the government of more than N$4 million in a drought relief food supply scheme have been denied bail in the Katima Mulilo magistrate’s court.
Jimmy Simataa, a senior employee of the Zambezi Regional Council, Gurion Siseho and Grodinah Liswaniso were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and await a formal bail application scheduled for today.
On 3 September 2024, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), through its Directorate of Disaster Risk Management, awarded a contract worth N$4 228 980 to a private company to supply 20 138 bags of 20kg maize meal to the Zambezi Regional Council as part of the drought relief programme.
ACC investigations revealed that on 28 October 2024, Simataa, in collaboration with Siseho and Liswaniso, falsified documents, including the purchase order, store issue and receipt voucher s well as an invoice to falsely indicate that the maize meal had been delivered.
Relying on these fraudulent documents, the OPM processed payment of N$4 228 980 to the company on 1 November 2024.
Simataa allegedly received N$350 000 for his role in certifying the false documents. The two other individuals are suspected to have used forged contracts and false documents to secure the lucrative contract.
The suspects remain in custody.
The ACC has urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities to help in the fight against corruption.