Staff Reporter
MALAKIA Elindi, the businessman who was arrested in relation to the over N$400 million fraud and corruption case involving the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia, today took the stand in a formal bail application and testified that he owns properties, cars, and furniture valued at around N$90 million.
Elindi, the brother of Peter Elindi, was also a director in Enercon, a company accused of credit fraud and selling service stations that already belonged to the Defence Ministry for about N$53 million.
Malakia, who is represented by lawyer Sisa Namandje, testified that he and his wife had been arrested at their Klein Windhoek residence at about 10:00 while their children were sleeping, and they did not even get a chance to inform their minor children that they were being arrested. He added that his 10-year-old son currently resides alone at their home in Klein Windhoek and is being cared for by a friend, while the other two children are at boarding school.
Queried if he would flee if given bail, Malakia said that he would remain in the country for the sake of his properties, family, and dignity, and that a few days prior to his arrest, he had been 60 km from Angola but opted to return to Windhoek, despite having heard rumours that the ACC sought to arrest him.
“I would not run away for many reasons—my dignity, my family, and properties. I have no place to run. I never committed a crime, not even a traffic offence. I am 53 now. I am not aware of borders being open; there are patrols in this country. Before my arrest, I was in the North. I had just arrived on Monday—I was 60 km from the border. I already heard these rumours but came back to Windhoek. I handed over my passport to my legal representative. I only have one,” Malakia said.
Listed properties for Malakia are around 20 and include several erven and plots across the country, valued at N$73 million; five cars valued at N$5.5 million; and furniture and fittings valued at N$9.3 million.
