Former top cop arrested on fraud, forgery charges

THE former Deputy Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Fritz Nghiishililwa, has been arrested and charged with fraud, forgery, uttering and attempted fraud, for allegedly defrauding a children’s fund of N$25 751,10.

Namibian Police spokesman Chief Inspector Hieronymus Goraseb confirmed that Nghiishililwa (50) was arrested yesterday after charges against him were initially laid in August this year. “The charges were fully investigated by the CID (Criminal Investigation Division) and a warrant for his arrest was issued by a magistrate today (yesterday).He was then duly arrested and taken to the Windhoek Central Police Station,” Goraseb said.Nghiishililwa, who is the Deputy Dean of the University of Namibia’s Law Faculty, made a brief appearance before Magistrate Sarel Jacobs in the Windhoek’s Magistrate’s Court later yesterday afternoon, and was formally charged with fraud, forgery, uttering and attempted fraud, court officials confirmed.The case was postponed to March 8 for further investigation.Nghiishililwa was granted N$2 000 bail on condition that he may not interfere with the Police investigation.The charges appeared to have been laid by the Master of the High Court, whose office administers the Guardian Fund.The Guardian Fund is a statutory fund, in which money inherited by minor children is deposited and administered by trustees appointed on their behalf.Although Elsie Beukes, the Master of the High Court, could not be reached for comment, it was established that Nghiishililwa was appointed as a trustee for one such group of minors.Nghiishililwa had allegedly submitted several claims, amounting to N$25 571.10, to the Guardian Fund for services he had rendered.But investigations into the particulars of his claims, which allegedly also contained falsified receipts, led to the charges being laid against him, it was established.Nghiishililwa was effectively forced to resign as Deputy Inspector General of the Police in June 2000 after it emerged that a minor schoolgirl he had had an affair with, committed suicide.Although he disputed that Ndeshihafela Sadrac was only 17 when he was involved with her, political pressure saw him quit his top position.Attempts to reach Nghiishililwa yesterday were unsuccessful.His cell phone remained switched off and his home telephone number appeared disconnected.* John Grobler is a freelance journalist; 081 240 1587″The charges were fully investigated by the CID (Criminal Investigation Division) and a warrant for his arrest was issued by a magistrate today (yesterday).He was then duly arrested and taken to the Windhoek Central Police Station,” Goraseb said.Nghiishililwa, who is the Deputy Dean of the University of Namibia’s Law Faculty, made a brief appearance before Magistrate Sarel Jacobs in the Windhoek’s Magistrate’s Court later yesterday afternoon, and was formally charged with fraud, forgery, uttering and attempted fraud, court officials confirmed.The case was postponed to March 8 for further investigation.Nghiishililwa was granted N$2 000 bail on condition that he may not interfere with the Police investigation.The charges appeared to have been laid by the Master of the High Court, whose office administers the Guardian Fund.The Guardian Fund is a statutory fund, in which money inherited by minor children is deposited and administered by trustees appointed on their behalf.Although Elsie Beukes, the Master of the High Court, could not be reached for comment, it was established that Nghiishililwa was appointed as a trustee for one such group of minors.Nghiishililwa had allegedly submitted several claims, amounting to N$25 571.10, to the Guardian Fund for services he had rendered.But investigations into the particulars of his claims, which allegedly also contained falsified receipts, led to the charges being laid against him, it was established. Nghiishililwa was effectively forced to resign as Deputy Inspector General of the Police in June 2000 after it emerged that a minor schoolgirl he had had an affair with, committed suicide.Although he disputed that Ndeshihafela Sadrac was only 17 when he was involved with her, political pressure saw him quit his top position.Attempts to reach Nghiishililwa yesterday were unsuccessful.His cell phone remained switched off and his home telephone number appeared disconnected.* John Grobler is a freelance journalist; 081 240 1587