Suspect charged in law firm fraud case at coast

AN employee at a well-established law firm at Swakopmund appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on a charge of theft.

Melanie Hartmann (59), who has worked for DF Malherbe & Partners for about seven years, was charged with stealing more than N$400 000. Magistrate Gibson Imbili immediately transferred the case to the Regional Court for April 5.The accused was released on N$50 000 bail, which her family paid.DF Malherbe launched an investigation and reported the case to the Police.According to Hartmann’s legal representative, Wouter Rossouw, she gave herself up to the Police on Wednesday morning.Hartmann, who was described by colleagues as extremely competent and one of the people who had helped build up the firm, has apparently terminated her employment with the company.Magistrate Gibson Imbili immediately transferred the case to the Regional Court for April 5.The accused was released on N$50 000 bail, which her family paid.DF Malherbe launched an investigation and reported the case to the Police.According to Hartmann’s legal representative, Wouter Rossouw, she gave herself up to the Police on Wednesday morning.Hartmann, who was described by colleagues as extremely competent and one of the people who had helped build up the firm, has apparently terminated her employment with the company.