Seven more arrests expected in Sanlam fraud case

A police detective says the amount of money allegedly stolen from Sanlam through fraudulent medical insurance claims has risen to N$2.5 million, while police are preparing to arrest seven more suspects linked to the alleged large-scale scam.

So far, police have arrested 21 individuals linked to the alleged fraud, with seven more suspects expected to be arrested, potentially bringing the total number of accused to 28.

On Tuesday, Detective Chief Inspector Leonard Amakali testified at the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court in opposition to bail for six suspects arrested in connection with the case, including Festus Amwaalwa, Kelsey Kudumo, Valera Gomes, Michael Kaviu, Albertina Simeon and Gertrude Iipinge.

In his testimony for the State, Amakali said investigations were still in the early stages, limiting the amount of detail he could disclose.

No bail

Amakali said he opposed bail because the six applicants posed a risk of tampering with evidence and witnesses. He told magistrate Boraface Konga that releasing them would not be in the interests of justice or public safety.

Amakali also argued against bail on the basis that the applicants' bank accounts remained unfrozen. "They can still access the funds and possibly flee," he warned.

He said substantial evidence against the accused had been gathered to date, including witness statements, electronic devices, admission records from Onandjokwe, Oshakati and Eenhana state hospitals, a forged NIP laboratory report, as well as Sanlam documents and bank statements. Amakali said the evidence would be presented during the trial.

The detective indicated that investigators believe blood from a cancer patient was collected and allegedly used to support a fraudulent Sanlam claim of approximately N$1.2 million under Claudia Martin's policy.

According to Martin’s bank statement, N$1.2 million was deposited into her account on 23 December 2024 and subsequently transferred to various accounts.

On the money trail

Regarding the N$2.5 million, Amakali said the funds were transferred through several accounts, including some allegedly held by lawyers, which had hindered the investigation.

“Some of this money was utilised to purchase properties, which were later sold once the accused became aware that investigations were underway,” he stated.

Amakali told state prosecutor Kristiana Erastus that, while no cash had been recovered, police had confiscated two vehicles, two houses and three plots believed to have been acquired with the proceeds of crime.

He referred to a plot in Uukwangula, allegedly purchased from Gertrude Iipinge by her co-accused Abner Mathias.

He dismissed claims that some accused had been granted bail unfairly, saying he had no prior knowledge of their identities before the case and only became acquainted with them through his role as the investigating officer.

The detective estimated that the investigation could take about another six months to complete, while noting that new information might prolong the process.

The bail application for the six accused is ongoing.