22 in court for SSC fraud Circle of deceit widens

THE number of suspects who have been arrested and charged after the uncovering of an alleged fraud ring that is claimed to have submitted false claims to the Social Security Commission grew to 22 yesterday.

It is suspected that the SSC could have been milked of around N$400 000, but this amount could increase as the investigation proceeds. Fifteen suspects appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura on charges of fraud and corruption yesterday.They were all granted bail of N$2 000.Another five suspects are expected in court today.On Monday, the first seven suspects – including the alleged key figure in the case, former SSC employee Maxwell Spanneberg – made a first court appearance before Magistrate Tuyenikelao Haikango on the same charges.At the request of the State, no bail was granted to Spanneberg (29) and two of his co-accused, David Engelbrecht and James Louw (39).The State agreed that bail in the amount of N$5 000 could be granted to each of the four other suspects who appeared in court with Spanneberg, Engelbrecht and Louw.They are Dominicus Abysius Jahs (49), Petrus Burtze (44), Danny Rodney Rhoman (30) and Herman Geingob (44).The latest batch of suspects who appeared in court yesterday are Petrus Matheus, Joseph Bernard (38), Joseph Michael (42), Simon Mwaala (52), Nathaniel Willibard (33), Kafuro Benedictus (36), Andreas Mokhatu (44), Frans David (39), David Swartz (29), Elifas Sam (42), Moses Ndemuhimba (41), Lazarus Haiduwa (37), Johannes Ndume (43), Matheus Kalushu (41) and Festus Nalyeenge (38).The SSC announced on Monday that it had “uncovered fraudulent activities carried out by one of its staff members”, who was identified as Maxwell Spanneberg.According to the SSC, Spanneberg was employed in the Registry Division at the SSC’s head office in Windhoek, and it is suspected that he used the computer passwords of other staff members to lodge, process and authorise fraudulent sick-leave claims.Spanneberg was suspended from his post on August 30, when a full-scale investigation of his alleged activities was ordered.He was dismissed on November 2, after he had been found guilty of misconduct following a disciplinary hearing, the SSC stated on Monday.It is suspected that Spanneberg used his position at the SSC to process false claims amounting to around N$400 000 – this figure could however increase as the investigation into the matter progresses – and that these claims were then paid out in the names of the people who have been charged as his co-accused.The proceeds of this scheme were then allegedly shared by Spanneberg and the other suspects.The 22 suspects who have so far appeared in court were informed that they would have to make a second court appearance on January 26.Their case was postponed for further investigation.Fifteen suspects appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura on charges of fraud and corruption yesterday.They were all granted bail of N$2 000.Another five suspects are expected in court today.On Monday, the first seven suspects – including the alleged key figure in the case, former SSC employee Maxwell Spanneberg – made a first court appearance before Magistrate Tuyenikelao Haikango on the same charges.At the request of the State, no bail was granted to Spanneberg (29) and two of his co-accused, David Engelbrecht and James Louw (39). The State agreed that bail in the amount of N$5 000 could be granted to each of the four other suspects who appeared in court with Spanneberg, Engelbrecht and Louw.They are Dominicus Abysius Jahs (49), Petrus Burtze (44), Danny Rodney Rhoman (30) and Herman Geingob (44).The latest batch of suspects who appeared in court yesterday are Petrus Matheus, Joseph Bernard (38), Joseph Michael (42), Simon Mwaala (52), Nathaniel Willibard (33), Kafuro Benedictus (36), Andreas Mokhatu (44), Frans David (39), David Swartz (29), Elifas Sam (42), Moses Ndemuhimba (41), Lazarus Haiduwa (37), Johannes Ndume (43), Matheus Kalushu (41) and Festus Nalyeenge (38).The SSC announced on Monday that it had “uncovered fraudulent activities carried out by one of its staff members”, who was identified as Maxwell Spanneberg.According to the SSC, Spanneberg was employed in the Registry Division at the SSC’s head office in Windhoek, and it is suspected that he used the computer passwords of other staff members to lodge, process and authorise fraudulent sick-leave claims.Spanneberg was suspended from his post on August 30, when a full-scale investigation of his alleged activities was ordered.He was dismissed on November 2, after he had been found guilty of misconduct following a disciplinary hearing, the SSC stated on Monday.It is suspected that Spanneberg used his position at the SSC to process false claims amounting to around N$400 000 – this figure could however increase as the investigation into the matter progresses – and that these claims were then paid out in the names of the people who have been charged as his co-accused.The proceeds of this scheme were then allegedly shared by Spanneberg and the other suspects.The 22 suspects who have so far appeared in court were informed that they would have to make a second court appearance on January 26.Their case was postponed for further investigation.