Four more suspects arrested in widening Sanlam fraud probe

Four more suspects linked to the widening Sanlam Namibia insurance fraud investigation appeared in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on Friday, as police intensify a probe that has been linked to the murder case of late control prosecutor Justine Shiweda.

This brings the total number of arrests so far to 17.

The latest arrests involve allegations of fraud, theft, forgery, uttering, corruption, money laundering and conspiracy.

The accused are identified as Paulus Penenayambeko Nuuyoma (42), a former Sanlam employee from Ondangwa residing at Onelago village; Albertina Simaneka Simeon (35) from Ekuku in Ondangwa; Getrude Nina Iipinge (39), a Sanlam employee based in Oshakati and residing in the Ekuku area of Oshakati; and Hendrina Shooya (28), a teacher from the Oshiinime area of Ondangwa.

Three of the suspects are alleged Sanlam insiders accused of working with a syndicate that manipulated insurance policies, forged hospital documents and processed fraudulent medical claims for financial gain.

The court heard that Nuuyoma allegedly facilitated fraudulent payouts of approximately N$1.2 million linked to Claudia Martin, as well as a further N$69 000 allegedly linked to Abner Mateus, who is said to be the mastermind behind the attack on Shiweda.

According to documents, the syndicate allegedly used falsified hospital admission records and fabricated medical histories to claim payouts on behalf of relatives and associates. The proceeds were allegedly shared among members of the network through kickbacks and other financial transactions.

All four suspects remain in custody after the state, represented by Wisdom Ndakondja, opposed bail. Further arrests are expected as investigations continue.

Magistrate Lydia Kambonde postponed the matter to 17 September 2026.

Iipinge is represented by Charity Mathews from Slogan Matheus & Associates.