Missing money doubles at Keetmans

ABOUT N$1,5 million was allegedly stolen from the Keetmanshoop Municipality between January and July last year, a forensic audit has revealed.

This came to light at a public meeting held by the Town Council last Thursday. Previously, it was estimated that N$700 000 had gone missing, allegedly at the hands of two municipal workers.Following the discovery of the missing money in November last year, two employees in the municipality’s finance department were arrested on a charge of theft.They are Ingrid Coleman and Tommy Coleman.Two more people, Renette April and Hendrik April, were later added as accused in the case.All of them were released on bail.The Municipality’s human resource manager, Andre Blaauw, said at Thursday’s meeting that disciplinary action would be taken in due course against a staffer implicated in the theft.Blaauw also revealed that some of the personal computers containing financial data were infected with viruses to cover up the tracks of the thieves.He could not elaborate on this, saying all information related to the alleged theft was treated “with sensitivity”.Previously, it was estimated that N$700 000 had gone missing, allegedly at the hands of two municipal workers.Following the discovery of the missing money in November last year, two employees in the municipality’s finance department were arrested on a charge of theft.They are Ingrid Coleman and Tommy Coleman.Two more people, Renette April and Hendrik April, were later added as accused in the case.All of them were released on bail.The Municipality’s human resource manager, Andre Blaauw, said at Thursday’s meeting that disciplinary action would be taken in due course against a staffer implicated in the theft.Blaauw also revealed that some of the personal computers containing financial data were infected with viruses to cover up the tracks of the thieves.He could not elaborate on this, saying all information related to the alleged theft was treated “with sensitivity”.