Six Accused in Namibia’s Namcor Corruption Case Granted Bail After Eight Months in Custody
Windhoek, Namibia – Six individuals embroiled in a high-profile fraud and corruption case involving the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) have been granted bail by the Windhoek High Court following an eight-month detention. The ruling, delivered on Friday, marks a significant turn in a case that has captured national attention.
The accused include prominent businessmen Peter and Malakia Elindi, former Namcor managing director Imms Mulunga, and former finance and administration executive Jennifer Hamukwaya. Also granted bail were former Namcor manager Olivia Dunaiski and Leo Nandago. The court set bail amounts at N$50,000 for the Elindi brothers, Mulunga, and Hamukwaya, while Dunaiski and Nandago were granted bail at N$20,000 each.
The six were arrested in July 2023 and have since been held in custody, with their initial bail applications denied by the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in September. The High Court’s decision to overturn that ruling came after Judge Philanda Christiaan, supported by Judge Eileen Rakow, found “material misdirections of fact and law” in the magistrate’s judgment.
In her ruling, Judge Christiaan criticized the magistrate for failing to properly evaluate evidence during the bail inquiry. She noted that undue reliance was placed on contested aspects of the state’s case, and the personal circumstances of the accused were not sufficiently weighed against statutory considerations under sections 60 and 61 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
The High Court imposed strict conditions on the bail. The accused are prohibited from applying for travel documents until their criminal case concludes. Copies of the court’s order and photocopies of their passports must be provided to all Namibian border posts, Hosea Kutako International Airport, and Eros Airport to prevent any attempts to flee the country.
Additionally, Peter and Malakia Elindi and Leo Nandago are barred from leaving the Ondangwa district without prior written notification to the investigating officer. Similarly, Imms Mulunga, Jennifer Hamukwaya, and Olivia Dunaiski are restricted to the Windhoek district under the same conditions.
Weekly reporting requirements were also mandated. The Elindi brothers and Nandago must report to the Anti-Corruption Commission’s office in Oshakati every Monday and Friday, while Mulunga, Hamukwaya, and Dunaiski are required to report to the commission’s Windhoek office on the same days.
The court further ordered the accused not to interfere with the ongoing investigation or contact witnesses involved in the case. These measures aim to ensure the integrity of the legal process while allowing the accused to prepare their defense outside of custody.
The Namcor corruption case has been a focal point in Namibia’s efforts to combat graft in its public institutions. Allegations of fraud and mismanagement at the state-owned petroleum company have raised concerns about accountability and transparency in the country’s energy sector.
The bail ruling has sparked mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a necessary step toward ensuring fair legal proceedings, while others express concern over the potential for interference in the investigation.
As the case continues, all eyes will be on the Windhoek High Court for further developments in a matter that underscores the challenges of addressing corruption in Namibia’s public institutions.
— Reported by Nexio News
