Staff Reporter
MAGISTRATE Jurina Hochobes postponed the ongoing fraud and corruption case of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) until 20 November 2025 for investigations, which include the retrieval of witness statements from South Africa, as well as financial analysis reports and bank statements that are also to be retrieved from South Africa.
During the court session, Boris Isaacks indicated that his client, Cornelius Willemse, would not go ahead with the bail proceedings slated for 25 August 2025, as they seek access to Willemse’s laptop, which he said was seized without a warrant during his arrest.
“We were supposed to launch bail for Willemse and his entity; however, we ran into some problems. On the date of arrest of accused two, the ACC, without a search warrant, took possession of accused number two’s laptop. There are certain documents on said laptop that would be needed for the bail application. We have tried via the office of the PG for the laptop to be made accessible for accused number two, which was not fruitful. We intended to bring a substantial application for the state to provide this laptop, but that in itself would take time. There is strong resistance from the state to provide the laptop. If the laptop is not provided, my instruction is to proceed with bail on Wednesday. We also needed the document on the age analysis of Erongo Petroleum CC. My learned friend gave me a hard copy on Friday; she also indicated that she has a hard copy for Enercon. This will be part and parcel of the bail documents,” Isaacks said.
In response, state prosecutor Menencia Hinda explained that the laptop cannot be returned before a forensic analysis and data retrieval are done on the devices.
“Requests have been made telephonically as well as in writing for the items: a cellphone as well as a laptop. The investigating officer informed counsel for accused two that he is not in a position to return the laptop or cellphone until analyses are done on the said items. This is to maintain the integrity of information on the devices from the time of arrest up until trial stage, when the state may rely on that evidence. If the device is returned before information on the devices is retrieved, there would be interference, and the state would not be able to rely on whatever information they found on those devices, as chain of custody would not have been maintained,” Hinda said.
Marco Kazondana, who represents Austin Elindi in the matter, also informed the court that his client has abandoned his attempt to bring a formal bail application. The rest of the accused are set to hear judgment on their bail application on 26 September 2025, while Willemse is set to continue with his bail application on 27 August 2025.
