Health fraud case postponed

THE four people arrested and charged with defrauding the Windhoek Central Hospital last year will have to wait until March before they hear their fate.

Windhoek Magistrate Helvi Kauna Shilemba postponed their case on Friday for another five months because Police investigations were not finalised. The four, business owner Susan Mangani (34), Brian Collin Mootsang (29), Klementine Ganases (36) and Collette Wilma Beukes (27), remain out on bail of N$3 000 each.They were arrested last year and face a charge of defrauding the Government of at least N$128 916 through tenders and fraudulent purchase of goods.Mootsang and Ganases were arrested on November 14 while Mangani, the owner of Sue’s Health and Beauty cc, was arrested six days earlier and appeared in court on the same day.The fourth accused, Beukes, was arrested in late February this year.Mootsang, Ganases and Beukes all worked for the Ministry of Health when the alleged fraud took place.On Friday, Magistrate Shilemba postponed the case until March 23.The Namibian reported in 2005 that a network of senior staff members and clerks at the hospital had diverted hospital funds into their own accounts.In other cases, private patients were allegedly asked to write cash cheques that never made it into State coffers.Mangani is represented by Lucius Murorua while Sisa Namandje represents Mootsang and Ganases.Sarel Maritz represents Beukes.The four, business owner Susan Mangani (34), Brian Collin Mootsang (29), Klementine Ganases (36) and Collette Wilma Beukes (27), remain out on bail of N$3 000 each.They were arrested last year and face a charge of defrauding the Government of at least N$128 916 through tenders and fraudulent purchase of goods.Mootsang and Ganases were arrested on November 14 while Mangani, the owner of Sue’s Health and Beauty cc, was arrested six days earlier and appeared in court on the same day.The fourth accused, Beukes, was arrested in late February this year.Mootsang, Ganases and Beukes all worked for the Ministry of Health when the alleged fraud took place.On Friday, Magistrate Shilemba postponed the case until March 23.The Namibian reported in 2005 that a network of senior staff members and clerks at the hospital had diverted hospital funds into their own accounts.In other cases, private patients were allegedly asked to write cash cheques that never made it into State coffers.Mangani is represented by Lucius Murorua while Sisa Namandje represents Mootsang and Ganases.Sarel Maritz represents Beukes.