Iuze Mukube

Couple to repay stolen loot  

The saying that crime does not pay was depicted in the recent order in the Windhoek High Court when a convicted couple, who stole more than N$9 million from bus company Ekonolux between January 2014 and November 2018, were ordered to repay back the money derived from their criminal activities.

Judge Eileen Rakow ordered Amanda Elizabeth and Barnard Christopher Jantjies to pay N$9 988 309.83 to the State.

The order followed their sentence in July 2026 and was made in terms of section 32 Prevention of Organised Crime Act, which provides for a confiscation order where a convicted person has derived a benefit from criminal activity.

The couple, together with Barnard’s close corporation, Bareli Building Services, had pleaded guilty to 873 counts of fraud, 876 counts of theft and multiple counts of money laundering.

The couple admitted to using the fraudulently obtained money to fund their lavish lifestyle, including their gambling habits.

Amanda was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment on 873 fraud charges, of which four years were suspended for a period of five years.

Barnard was sentenced to 14-year imprisonment on 876 counts of theft, of which five were suspended for five years.

The two were each sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment on 871 counts of money laundering. However, this sentence was ordered to run together with the sentence on the fraud and theft charges, respectively.

Judge Rakow also sentenced the close corporation to a fine of N$150 000 for 127 counts of theft and a further fine of N$75 000 for 125 counts of money laundering.

Fourth bail attempt flops  

A fourth attempt by former magistrate Jaco Kennedy, who is facing rape and kidnapping charges, to be released on bail has failed, following the dismissal of his application for bail based on new facts.

Windhoek High Court Judge Naomi Shivute dismissed the application, finding that while the fact that the State has closed its case was new, it did not weaken the State’s case.

She found that the new fact, together with the old facts, did not change the basis on which bail had previously been refused.

Kennedy is charged with two counts of rape: one allegedly committed between Katutura and Windhoek Central Hospital in January 2015, and another in the Otjomuise area of Khomasdal in December 2015, while he was out on bail for the first rape charge. Kennedy has remained in custody since January 2016, following his second arrest. The matter continues.

N$4.4 m fraud  

Fraud convict Tulihaleni Nghihalwa is seeking leave to appeal her 12-year sentence for stealing N$4.4 million from her employer, Komatsu.

Nghihalwa and three co-accused were sentenced in July 2026 by acting judge Petrus Unengu after being convicted in connection with suspicious transactions processed between January 2014 and May 2016.

The other accused were Nghihalwa’s brother, Tulihafeni Nghihalwa; her cousin, Johanna Jona; and a fourth accused, Pauline Gaes.

Nghihalwa faced 75 counts of fraud and money-laundering charges. Nghihalwa was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on 75 counts of fraud, with three years suspended. She will therefore serve a 12-year sentence and pay a fine of N$20 000 on a count of money laundering.

Tulihafeni was fined N$20 000, and Jona was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and fined N$20 000. Gaes, on the other hand, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and fined N$30 000.

The matter is scheduled for hearing on 20 October 2026.

–imukube@nepc.com.na