Abner says accused nephew unaware of Sanlam policy

Abner Matheus - alleged mastermind of the death of late prosecutor Justine Shiweda - on Friday told the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court that his co-accused in the matter, Petrus Shikwaya, had no knowledge of a Sanlam policy allegedly linked to financial transactions under scrutiny in his bail application.

Matheus testified in support of his nephew Nekwaya’s bail bid, telling the court that he personally opened the policy and merely instructed Shikwaya to ensure that a business account he managed maintained a minimum balance of N$2 000 to cover monthly deductions.

“He was a young boy. I did not tell him the details. He didn’t know the policies were for Sanlam or what type of policy it was,” Matheus said.

He further told the court that he registered and used a cellphone number in Shikwaya’s name without the accused’s knowledge.

“He also didn’t know I was using a number registered in his name. When he later found out, he asked me and I just laughed it off,” he testified.

The State alleges that Shikwaya’s bank account was used to facilitate transactions linked to both a Sanlam fraud scheme and the murder of Ondangwa control prosecutor Justine Shiweda.

However, Matheus insisted that Shikwaya had no knowledge of the source or nature of the funds passing through the account.

“The State has no strong case against Shikwaya if they are solely relying on his bank transactions,” he said. “Clearly an innocent man is being kept in custody… it is not in the interest of justice to keep him in custody knowing how long these cases take.”

Public prosecutor Yeukai Kangira, assisted by advocate Tangeni Iitula, put it to Matheus that after his failed bail application in May 2025, he allegedly devised a plan to recruit people to kill Shiweda and communicated with Shikwaya on the day she was attacked.

Matheus denied the allegation.

“I did not conspire with Shikwaya or any of the accused to kill Justine,” he said. “I know where I stand with this case and I strongly say that he will not abscond because he has no reason to run.”