More people subpoenaed to testify in Avid probe

THE High Court yesterday ordered that a number of people be immediately served with subpoenas to appear before the inquiry into what happened to the N$30 million the Social Security Commission (SSC) invested with Avid Investment Corporation.

Christophine N Kandara, the wife of insurance broker Lazarus Kandara, was subpoenaed to explain a number of banking transactions or transfers made to her bank accounts. Bank statements in the possession of the liquidators show that amounts of N$500 000 and N$380 000 were deposited or transferred to Mrs Kandara’s bank accounts.It was, however, not revealed whether these amounts were deposited or transferred by her husband, Lazarus Kandara, who was allegedly directly involved in the running of Avid’s business affairs when the SSC invested the its millions.Other people subpoenaed include the Acting Secretary General of the National Youth Council, Ralph Blaauw, whose wife, Sharon Blaauw is a Director of Avid; Marthin Ipumbu, a senior employee at the First National Bank of Namibia; and insurance broker Pieter Boonzaaier.Boonzaaier is reported to have received payments to the tune of N$183 000 from Nico Josea, according to banking transactions submitted in court.Kandara, who is believed to be in South Africa, had telephonically expressed his willingness to co-operate with the investigation, SSC lawyer Andrew Corbett told Acting High Court Judge Raymond Heathcote yesterday morning.Corbett also told the court that Kandara had said he was willing to return to Namibia as soon as possible to testify in the inquiry, but not before August 23.Corbett said that Kandara claimed to be busy finalising the repatriation of the missing public funds.During yesterday’s proceedings, the court also heard that all bank accounts belonging to Namangol’s Chief Executive Officer Nico Josea and those of his asset management company had been frozen.Former Avid Director Otniel Podewiltz was cross-examined yesterday.He continues to deny his involvement in the saga.- NampaBank statements in the possession of the liquidators show that amounts of N$500 000 and N$380 000 were deposited or transferred to Mrs Kandara’s bank accounts.It was, however, not revealed whether these amounts were deposited or transferred by her husband, Lazarus Kandara, who was allegedly directly involved in the running of Avid’s business affairs when the SSC invested the its millions.Other people subpoenaed include the Acting Secretary General of the National Youth Council, Ralph Blaauw, whose wife, Sharon Blaauw is a Director of Avid; Marthin Ipumbu, a senior employee at the First National Bank of Namibia; and insurance broker Pieter Boonzaaier.Boonzaaier is reported to have received payments to the tune of N$183 000 from Nico Josea, according to banking transactions submitted in court.Kandara, who is believed to be in South Africa, had telephonically expressed his willingness to co-operate with the investigation, SSC lawyer Andrew Corbett told Acting High Court Judge Raymond Heathcote yesterday morning.Corbett also told the court that Kandara had said he was willing to return to Namibia as soon as possible to testify in the inquiry, but not before August 23.Corbett said that Kandara claimed to be busy finalising the repatriation of the missing public funds.During yesterday’s proceedings, the court also heard that all bank accounts belonging to Namangol’s Chief Executive Officer Nico Josea and those of his asset management company had been frozen.Former Avid Director Otniel Podewiltz was cross-examined yesterday.He continues to deny his involvement in the saga.- Nampa