The former chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC) Salmaan Jacobs is expected to return to court for a fifth time on 31 July for sentencing.
This comes after the Keetmanshoop Regional Court postponed Jacobs’ sentencing for the fourth time last Friday.
During the court proceedings, magistrate Frans Anderson said the documents related to Jacobs’ sentencing “still need to be sorted out”.
“We are still dealing with the paperwork, therefore the court needs more time,” said Anderson.
Jacobs was convicted on a corruption charge last year after the state successfully appealed against a March 2014 not-guilty verdict.
Since November 2025 sentencing hearings have faced multiple postponements, with the matter returning to court to finalise submissions. During the mitigation of sentencing, Jacobs’ lawyer argued an appropriate sentence would be a warning or fine not more than N$5 000.
The state called for a fine of N$20 000 or four years’ imprisonment.
Contacted for comment, Jacobs declined. “These are court matters. Therefore I don’t deem it suitable to make any comments,” said Jacobs.
The Namibian reported last year that Jacobs was initially prosecuted on five counts of unlawfully obtaining gratification, but was pronounced not guilty on three of the charges in June 2013, and thereafter was acquitted on the two remaining charges in March 2014.
Investigations against Jacobs began in 2007 after allegations emerged that he irregularly claimed allowances and approved payments to a company connected to his wife.
The payment followed a project proposal drafted and submitted by Jacobs to the value of N$30 000, in the name of Sadadi, on behalf of his nephew, to the ||Kharas Regional Council. He reportedly received N$4 500 of it, paid into Sadadi Enterprises CC, in which he and his wife hold interest.
The magistrate at the time ruled that the state had not proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The state then appealed the ruling, arguing that the lower court had misinterpreted key points of law and fact.
High Court judges Naomi Shivute and Marilize du Plessis delivered the appeal judgement last year in November finding Jacobs guilty of contravening the Anti-Corruption Act after having reportedly obtained gratification by corruptly using his office or position.
Shivute and Du Plessis also ruled that Jacobs approved a second payment of N$4 500 into the same account for catering services provided by his wife’s company.
“The state has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the accused received gratification in the amount of at least N$4 500 as a result of his corrupt actions,” states the ruling.
Jacobs is expected to return to court for sentencing on 31 July.
