Katrina’s corruption trial starts

THE corruption trial of Hardap Governor Katrina Hanse-Himarwa started yesterday with State witnesses giving testimony in the Mariental Magistrate’s Court.

Among the first State witnesses called to testify yesterday were former Hardap Council Chief Regional Officer Sankwasa James Sankwasa and the Council’s Planning Director, Theresia Basson. Sankwasa and the Hardap Regional Council were embroiled in a legal tussle over claims that Sankwasa had been unfairly removed from his post before his five-year contract had expired. In June, the High Court ruled in favour of the Regional Council in its attempt to prevent the return of its former CRO to the post.The Namibian understands that the State will call 18 witnesses to testify at the trial, which is set for three days. The corruption against Hanse-Himarwa stems from N$2 000 she allegedly appropriated from the Hardap Regional Council entertainment budget under false pretences to throw a party for the elders at Aranos in December 2005.Additionally, Hanse-Himarwa is accused of illegally soliciting N$3 290 for the sewing of curtains for her official residence, and inflating and wrongful allocation of a curtain supply tender to a relative, Lydia Goeieman. Lawyer Sisa Namandje is representing Hanse-Himarwa. State Prosecutor Veiko Alexander is prosecuting. luqman@namibian.com.na