The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested fugitive businessman Victor Malima’s mother for her alleged involvement in illicit financial transactions and business registrations linked to criminal proceeds.
This was confirmed by ACC director general Paulus Noa on Saturday.
The woman was arrested in the Oshana region on Friday, however, Noa could not reveal exactly where.
She was transported to Windhoek for a court appearance on Monday.
Malima is on the run for allegedly being at the centre of the ongoing National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor)-Enercon corruption case.
Noa over the weekend declined to disclose the exact charges against Malima’s mother, but indicated that her arrest is linked to the commission’s ongoing investigation.
“All I can say is that the mother was arrested for financial transactions and the registration of businesses in her name from the proceeds of crime. Wait for Monday for more details,” he said.
Noa said individuals close to suspects are often implicated through financial transactions connected to alleged corrupt activities.
“For a person to be arrested, there must be some form of involvement, either through companies or bank transactions,” he said.
“Some people open bank accounts into which money is deposited, or they register companies or close corporations that receive funds. That is why we have to arrest some of these individuals, as they are linked to the case under investigation,” he said.
Noa said individuals can only be lawfully arrested based on probable cause or reasonable suspicion that they have committed, are committing, or are about to commit a crime.
He said arrests cannot generally be made without supporting evidence.
“The law does not arrest people because they are related to suspects. The woman was arrested because there’s a number of businesses registered in her name and some financial transactions as well,” he said.
Malima has been described by the state as a key facilitator, who allegedly bought former Namcor managing director Imms Mulunga an Audi Q8 (valued at N$1.7 million). Mulunga was arrested along with several others, including Malima’s uncles Peter and Malakia Elindi. Malima is also linked to a N$53.2-million transaction in which Enercon allegedly ‘sold’ nine service stations to Namcor.
Oshana police regional commander commissioner Sakaria Lungameni yesterday said Malima’s mother was arrested by ACC investigators and not the police.
“That is an ACC matter and the police have nothing to do with it. I can’t even say anything, because the ACC is handling the matter,” he said. Malima remains at large.
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