Majiedt spends another weekend in the cells

BY THE time the formal bail application of corruption accused Esmerelda Majiedt resumes next Wednesday, it will be 86 days since her arrest on April 4.

During this time, she has spent 32 days under Police guard in the Windhoek Central Hospital.Yesterday, Majiedt’s bail application was again postponed – until next week Wednesday. This means next week will be the fourth week during which Majiedt will fight to be released on bail.Yesterday’s postponement was as a result of the non-availability of Advocate Louis Botes, who represents Majiedt on instruction of Bradley Basson.During the past three weeks, details of the lavish lifestyle of Majiedt and her husband, Donkie, emerged in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.The couple and their sons own various luxury vehicles and motorbikes as well as a popular hangout spot in the Northern Industrial Area.During her testimony, however, Majiedt alleged that she had no idea about the alleged disappearance of N$71 million worth of cement at AfriSam, her former employer. Before she could say whether she was involved, she would need more details of the case, she testified.Furthermore, investigating officer Justine Namukwambi testified that Majiedt’s life would allegedly be in danger once released on bail. Namukwambi claimed that the people Majiedt allegedly used to carry out her alleged corrupt scheme now posed a threat to her life.During Namukwambi’s testimony, it was revealed that Majiedt’s alleged accomplices are Calvyn and Gerhard Bezuidenhoudt and Daniel de Jesus.The men are linked to two Rundu businesses, Cool Properties and Discount Hardware.Namukwambi also alleged that Majiedt, before her arrest, had interfered with the graft investigation by asking a former AfriSam colleague, Zabby van Zyl, to steal a company stamp and blank invoices.On Wednesday, Elena Nashikwa, human resources manager at Ohorongo Cement, alleged that Majiedt, during a job interview, had lied to her about her previous criminal conviction.Majiedt, who joined Ohorongo Cement on February 1 after resigning from AfriSam, was convicted on a fraud-related charge during the 1980s while being employed at Standard Bank Namibia.Magistrate Ruth Herunga postponed the bail application until next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.