Staff Reporter
CHARMAINE Gous, a woman accused of defrauding her former employer, Pepe Construction Lodge Builder & Outdoor Decking, of N$3.5 million, appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.
Gous, who is out on bail in the amount of N$10 000.00, is slated to return to court after Magistrate Simon Auguste granted the State a final postponement in the matter to finalise investigations.
Public Prosecutor Reinhard Kamatoto said that investigations are yet to be finalised pending a Section 26(b) application filed with BIPA, as well as auditor statements that are still outstanding.
He added that while these documents have been requested since November 2025, they are yet to be made available.
The State alleges that Gous, who was the accountant of Pepe Construction Lodge Builder & Outdoor Decking company over the past seven years, stole approximately N$3.5 million. In a separate conversation, Gous is said to have admitted that she stole a total of N$1 million. To date, she has only repaid N$120,000.
The company, located in the Southern Industrial Area in the capital, specialises in the construction of luxury lodges.
After being arrested at a farm outside Okahandja in November 2025, Gous has since made several court appearances.
The matter has been postponed to 11 August 2026 for the final time, allowing the State time to complete investigations.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: Contributed
