Four arrested for alleged corruption

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in two separate cases arrested four persons for corruption.
In the first case, the ACC arrested 40-year-old Samora Haufiku, an employee of the Ministry of Finance (labourer) as well as 41-year-old Festus Alexander and 36-year-old Taimi Iiyambo (business persons) for an alleged attempt to bribe an official from Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA).
According to the ACC, it is alleged that Iiyambo owes an estimated amount of N$272 240 on VAT and wanted someone to clear the outstanding balance. The ACC received a tip-off from the whistleblower, upon which a joint operation with NamRA that led to the trio’s arrest was carried out.
The three are alleged to have conspired to bribe the NamRa official with an amount of N$50 000. An amount of N$49 000 was found with one of the accused persons upon their arrest last Wednesday.
Haufiku, Alexander, and Iyambo are charged with contravening Sections 38 (b), and 46 (b) of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2003 (Act No.8 of 2003), which is bribery of public officers and attempts and conspiracies.
The trio appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate Court last Thursday and were each given N$5 000 bail while their case is remanded to 28 October 2022 for further investigation.
Police officer
In the second case, the ACC arrested Angula Kleopas Shea, a Detective Warrant Officer from the Swakopmund Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU). The 51-year-old was arrested in Swakopmund on Wednesday last week after he accepted a bribe from one of the suspects’ fathers who was arrested for the alleged theft of plant pots at a certain nursery in Swakopmund.
It is alleged that Detective Sheya continuously solicited bribes in exchange to destroy the fingerprints, getting rid of the docket, and subsequently convincing the complainant to withdraw the theft case.
Shea appeared in the Swakopmund magistrate’s court thereafter and was denied bail, while his case is remanded to 17 October 2022 for further investigation.
The ACC commends individuals who continuously put national interests above their own by reporting corrupt persons who offer or solicit bribes in exchange for betraying the official responsibilities entrusted to them or for selfish reasons.
The Commission urges employers to continuously strengthening work ethics and integrity within their institutions in an effort to tackle corruption.
To report corruption, visit any of the ACC offices in Windhoek, Otjiwarongo, Oshakati, and Swakopmund or call 0800 222 888 or send an email at [email protected] .