Names of Netumbo, Shiimi used to swindle N$2m

Prosecutor general Martha Imalwa says a large sum of money allegedly paid by businessman Jose Luis Bastos to fraud accused Immanuel Nowaseb was spent at various furniture shops.

The 86-year-old Walvis Bay-based businessman said he paid N$2 million to Nowaseb in 17 transactions between 29 November 2022 and 27 January.

The money was paid after Nowaseb allegedly impersonated deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi.

On the first day, Nowaseb allegedly invited Bastos to a gala dinner in Windhoek, reportedly meant to raise funds for Nandi-Ndaitwah’s campaign for the 2024 elections.

Two days later, Nowaseb sent a text message to Bastos asking him to confirm his attendance.

Bastos then instructed his secretary to send N$40 000, as he believed the message was from Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Five days later, Bastos sent a text message to Nowaseb, assuming he was sending it to Nandi-Ndaitwah, congratulating her for winning the Swapo vice president’s position at the Swapo elective congress.

Nowaseb allegedly responded saying he wanted to travel to all the regions to thank supporters.

According to documents filed at the Windhoek High Court, Nowaseb, claiming to be Nandi-Ndaitwah, allegedly sent a text message to Bastos in November 2022 asking him to donate money towards a purported campaign for Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Court documents show that N$53 900 was spent at three furniture shops, while N$12 980 was spent at Hosea Kutako International Airport, and N$634 000 was spent on the purchase of unspecified items.

By 8 February, Nowaseb had N$304 500 in his account. An amount of N$40 000 was allegedly paid into a certain bank account. This money was withdrawn within three days, Imalwa said.

Imalwa alleged that Nowaseb also told Bastos that he was Shiimi and that he wanted to set an appointment with him to resolve the alleged outstanding debt of Fishcor with Bastos’ fishing company.

At the time, he promised Bastos that his company would receive horse mackerel fishing quotas for the 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 fishing seasons.

This promise was made in an email to Bastos in January.

In the email, Nowaseb pretended to be Shiimi.

“These quotas would be used to pay off Fishcor’s outstanding debt with Bastos’ company. The meeting would take place on 25 February at Bastos’ office.”

Nowaseb allegedly claimed that the meeting was to be attended by fisheries minister Derek Klazen, Shiimi and Nandi-Ndaitwah.

A case of fraud alternatively theft by false pretenses and money laundering was opened against Nowaseb on 1 February at Walvis Bay.
When he appeared in Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court, his case was postponed to 31 May.

Both Nandi-Ndaitwah and Shiimi denied in affidavits that they know or requested Nowaseb or anyone to send text messages to anyone on their behalf.

In her affidavit, Nandi-Ndaitwah said she only met Bastos once when he was introduced to her by a certain Mr Savva as his friend, and she has never spoke to him since.