Couple gets bail over disability grant fraud

A couple who was arrested earlier this week for allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent scheme involving the conversion of child grants into disability payments has been granted bail.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) arrested the former Ministry of Gender and Child Welfare official and his girlfriend on Tuesday.

According to the ACC, the former official, Kelenose Mbathera, and his girlfriend, Belinda Mbaindjikua, who is employed at Namib Poultry, allegedly solicited personal documents from family members and friends under the pretext of applying for vulnerable children’s grants (Harambee) on their behalf.

It is alleged that the applications were later altered to disability grants without the knowledge or consent of the beneficiaries.

The commission further confirmed that the fraudulently obtained disability grant payments were deposited into bank accounts held by Mbaindjikua at Bank Windhoek and First National Bank of Namibia.

Mbathera has been charged with contravening the Anti-Corruption Act for corruptly using his office or position for gratification, as well as the use of false documents to mislead.

Mbaindjikua has been charged under Section 46 of the Anti-Corruption Act.

The two appeared in Otjiwarongo Regional Court this week and were granted a combined bail amount of N$315 000.
They are expected to appear again on 3 June.

The matter was postponed for further investigations.

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