Staff Reporter
THE lawyers in the ongoing case where people appeared before court for allegedly embezzling up to N$480 million from the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) are pushing for their clients to have an expedited bail hearing, and for them to appear by Monday at the latest for a formal bail hearing.
The accused include Immanuel Mulunga, Cornelius Petrus Willemse, Jennifer Hamukwaya and her husband Panduleni Hamukwaya, Olivia Grace Dunaiski, brothers Peter and Malakia Elindi, as well as Malakia’s wife, Lydia Elindi. They face charges including fraud, money laundering, and using their positions for personal gratification.
The lawyer representing Jennifer Hamukwaya, the former Chief Financial Officer, and her husband Panduleni Hamukwaya, Francois Bangamwabo, put it to the court that his clients are the parents of minor children.
“Accused number three, Jennifer, is married to accused number eight, Panduleni. We have been provided with evidence through birth certificates that the two have three minor children. These minor children have the right to be cared for in terms of the Constitution and all other laws. In the interest of the minor children, there is no need for the state to keep both parents in custody. At least accused number three should be released,” the lawyer argued.
Accused number one, Immanuel Mulunga, was also represented by Francois Bangamwabo.
Milton Engelbrecht, the lawyer representing Cornelius Petrus Willemse, said that his client’s car was impounded and inquired from the court about a warrant of seizure and on what grounds the car had been taken by the state. “My client’s vehicle has been seized; I want the court order for seizure and the supporting affidavit. His cellphone, laptop, and ATM card have been impounded. We want the documents that authorized this. These documents must be made available to us by 15:00 today.”
He added that he is prepared to bring a formal bail application next week Monday, the 14th of July 2025. The same sentiments were echoed by Sisa Namandje, who represents accused five Peter Elindi, six Malakia Elindi, and seven Lydia Elindi.
He also stood in for accused four, Olivia Grace Dunaiski, who is represented by Kilroy Kasper.
Namandje argued that the accused have been brought to court prematurely as the state is still in the midst of conducting investigations.
The second issue of serious note, Namandje said, is that his clients should not be subjected to irregular proceedings, accusing the state of malicious prosecution.
“If we ask for the docket, they say investigations are not complete, but information is being leaked to the media from the docket in a manner that prejudices our clients. This is a serious breach; we want to place it on record. This continuous, deliberate leaking of information to paint a particular picture when our clients are presumed to be innocent must stop,” Namandje said.
The state is at this stage objecting to bail, citing the seriousness of the charges, fears that the accused will abscond, and that they might interfere with police investigations.
Photos: File
