Stage set for new round in Bethanie fraud saga

A LONG drawn-out disciplinary case against Bethanie’s Village Secretary is set to be concluded today after the Council managed to retain a lawyer at Keetmanshoop.

The case was postponed last week after the Council asked for time to consult a lawyer to fight their case against Ronald Windswaai. He was suspended without pay in November and faces 11 charges.Windswaai is accused of giving himself advances, overtime and travel and subsistence allowances of more than N$342 000.Other allegations include having forged a signature on two cheques for N$29 000, misappropriating over N$1,3 million invested for development at the village, paying close to N$11 000 for unspecified services and misleading the Council into buying an unroadworthy vehicle.Windswaai, through his lawyers Garbers Associates, has denied misappropriating any Village Council funds.According to the charge sheet, Windswaai also failed to account for a payment of N$643 235 he authorised.Once the Windswaai case is over, the Council is set to press for charges to be formulated against four other employees – Willem Rooi, Marenda Boois, Marcelle Pienaar and Schalk van der Westhuizen.Only Windswaai has been suspended.He was suspended without pay in November and faces 11 charges. Windswaai is accused of giving himself advances, overtime and travel and subsistence allowances of more than N$342 000. Other allegations include having forged a signature on two cheques for N$29 000, misappropriating over N$1,3 million invested for development at the village, paying close to N$11 000 for unspecified services and misleading the Council into buying an unroadworthy vehicle. Windswaai, through his lawyers Garbers Associates, has denied misappropriating any Village Council funds. According to the charge sheet, Windswaai also failed to account for a payment of N$643 235 he authorised. Once the Windswaai case is over, the Council is set to press for charges to be formulated against four other employees – Willem Rooi, Marenda Boois, Marcelle Pienaar and Schalk van der Westhuizen. Only Windswaai has been suspended.