One of the accused in the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) fraud and corruption case, former Namcor manager Cedric Willemse, has been granted bail in an amount of N$200 000.
An application by Willemse to be granted bail succeeded before magistrate Olga Muharukua in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday afternoon.
The magistrate found that Willemse could have a plausible explanation for amounts of money paid into his bank account, and that his continued detention would not be in the interest of justice.
Willemse (52) was arrested on 8 July, and has been held in custody since then.
He is facing 10 charges in connection with alleged fraud and corruption at Namcor, where he was employed as the state-owned fuel company’s supply and logistics manager.
The charges against him include counts of fraud, corruptly using an office or position for gratification, corruptly accepting gratification, money laundering and failing to pay tax.
In her ruling on Willemse’s application to be granted bail, Muharukua noted that Willemse told the court during his bail hearing that he will plead not guilty to all of the charges.
He also told the court that money paid to him was for meat he had sold from his farm and for logistics services provided by a close corporation of which he is a member.
Willemse’s bail hearing started on 9 September.
The magistrate ordered that once released on bail, Willemse has to report at Okahandja Police Station between 08h00 and 09h00 and between 18h00 and 19h00 every weekday, from Monday to Friday.
He also has to hand all of his travel documents to the investigating officer of his case, may not leave the district of Windhoek without the permission of the investigating officer, and may not interfere with state witnesses in the matter, Muharukua ordered.
Willemse and his co-accused have to appear in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court again on 20 November.
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