Woman’s ID used without her knowledge to open bank account linked to Victor Malima, state says

A Windhoek woman, Hileni Itana, has discovered that her identity was allegedly used without her knowledge to open a business bank account linked to a Namcor-Enercon fraud case involving a former Bank Windhoek employee and the 12th accused in the matter, 49-year-old Heidi Boois.

Boois appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court for the first time yesterday before magistrate Ilge Rheent, facing multiple charges, including fraud, forgery, money laundering and contraventions of financial and anti-corruption laws, related to the alleged unlawful opening and operation of a business account in Itana’s name.

The State alleges that in October 2022, Boois allegedly facilitated the opening of a business account for Quality Meat Supplies CC, a company reportedly linked to fugitive businessman Victor Simaneka Malima, at Bank Windhoek using Itana’s identity documents without her knowledge or presence.

It is alleged that Boois, who was employed as a sales manager at the bank at the time, knowingly assisted in opening the account, which was later used to transfer approximately N$3.36 million to individuals and entities linked to Namcor officials.

These reportedly included Cornelius Willemse, then Namcor’s manager for supply and logistics, and Panduleni Farming CC, an entity linked to the husband of Namcor’s former finance executive, Jennifer Hamukwaya.

Boois is also accused of forging Itana’s signature on account-opening documents and board meeting extracts for Quality Meat Supplies CC.

She allegedly conducted dealings with Malima while employed at the bank, facilitating transactions suspected of being unlawful.

Boois’ lawyer, Kadhila Amoomo, told the court yesterday that he will challenge her arrest during proceedings this week, arguing that the warrant for her arrest had been defective.

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