Former mayor of Walvis Bay Wilfred Immanuel has been arrested by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) on charges of money laundering.
He faces two charges: one for corruptly using his office or position for gratification, as well as another count for contravening the Prevention Of Organised Crime Act for acquiring property while knowing “or ought reasonably to have known that it is or forms part of the proceeds of unlawful activities – money laundering on diverse occasions.”
He was released on a bail of N$10 000. The case has been postponed to 8 December 2025.
In 2020, The Namibian reported that Immanuel and his son rented industrial land from a government enterprise which Immanuel chaired, amid allegations that the mayor paid paltry sums for the land compared to previous tenants.
The Namibian established, from Business and Intellectual Property Authority documents, that Immanuel and his son, Albertus Shitatu, each have a 25% stake in WiWW Trading Enterprises, which signed the lease on 8 August 2018.
As mayor, Immanuel chaired the council-owned Walvis Bay Export Processing Zone Management Company, which runs the industrial park at Walvis Bay where the property in question is situated.
Walvis Bay council officials told The Namibian in 2020 that WiWW Trading operated from the 480 square metre Unit 15 at the Gateway Industrial Park.
They claimed the rent was set at N$6 000 a month, yet the previous tenants paid more than N$18 000 a month.
