Staff Reporter
AFTER experiencing multiple delays since 2022, the aviation fraud case involving Namibia’s Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Swakopmund’s flying operations Bush Bird CC and Bush Bird Aviation CC has been postponed until 2023.
Among the individuals implicated in the proceedings is Gerhard van der Merwe, a well-known lawyer, entrepreneur, and developer from Swakopmund. Joining him on the list of accused individuals are his former business associate, Paulo Coimbra, and Rene Sauerbrei, a German citizen previously associated with their enterprises.
The charges against them include deception, concealing crucial information from the director of the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and operating a light aircraft without the required Air Operator License (AOL) in violation of the law.
Furthermore, the charge sheet states that Van der Merwe, Coimbra, and Sauerbrei are accused of deceiving the NCAA and the Transportation Commission of Namibia between April 2017 and March 2018.
According to the NCAA, they failed to inform the executive director of the NCAA about changes related to Bush Birds, such as deregistration and changes in ownership. They also neglected to disclose the absence of an Air Operator’s License (AOL) or Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), both of which are necessary for operating an air transportation business.
The controversy surrounding the case stems from an alleged incident in April 2018, wherein prominent Swakopmund lawyer Van der Merwe is accused of manipulating Nico Köhne, a South African aircraft operator. Van der Merwe allegedly falsely represented himself as the authorized representative of the defunct Bush Birds company and entered into an aircraft lease arrangement with Köhne.
Due to the defense legal representative’s inability to attend the trial for medical reasons, the case has been rescheduled for February 2023.
