De Klerk embroiled in ex-mayor\'s N$3.8m estate drama

Estate administrator Martha Dobberstein, who recently appeared in court for allegedly misappropriating N$500 000 from a deceased person’s estate, has now been accused – together with fugitive Fishrot lawyer Marén de Klerk – of unlawfully pocketing N$3.8 million from the estate of the late former Windhoek mayor, Matthew Shikongo. Shikongo died from Covid-19-related causes on 13 May 2021. In a formal letter submitted to the Namibian Police’s Commercial Crimes Unit by law firm S. Newaka & Co. Inc, De Klerk – who initially served as executor of the estate – and Dobberstein, who was his appointed agent, are accused of unlawfully withdrawing N$3.8 million from Shikongo’s estate. The funds were reportedly transferred into private accounts under the pretext of "executor's fees", a move the new administrators argue was premature and illegal. According to the current executor, Katrina Shikongo, and her legal representatives, such fees may only be claimed after the estate has been finalised and a non-objection letter has been issued by the Master of the High Court – a process they claim was never completed in this case. “The estate was never finalised and no such letter was issued,” states the letter, dated 27 March, adding that this renders the transfer of funds “illegal and unlawful". The matter is now under police investigation. De Klerk fled to South Africa at the height of high-profile arrests related to the N$300 million Fishrot bribery saga, in which prosecutors allege he played an active role. Shikongo was the first black person elected mayor of Windhoek, ascending to the position in 1993. In 2000, he was elected again and held the position until 2010, making him the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. Dobberstein’s other legal troubles Dobberstein also appeared in court in March for allegedly transferring over N$500 000 from the estate of the late Norman Marais into her personal bank account. The 77-year-old appeared in the Windhoek Magistrates’ Court last month and is expected to plead to charges under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) when she returns to court this Friday. She is facing charges under POCA, as well as fraud and an alternate charge of theft. She made her first appearance on 28 March and was granted bail of N$10 000 by the Windhoek Magistrates’ Court. Marais’ widow, Karen Marais, opened a criminal case against Dobberstein after discovering in October 2024 that Dobberstein had allegedly withdrawn N$534 000 in 13 transactions over six months. In her sworn statement, Marais said her conveyancing lawyer contacted Dobberstein in March 2024 regarding a property transfer, but she was unresponsive despite multiple follow-ups. “According to my knowledge, she never invested the money anywhere. She [Dobberstein] also confirmed with the Master of the High Court’s office that she did not invest the money but cannot explain what she did with it,” Marais said. Borris Erasmus, a partner at PD Theron Associates, whose company’s stamp Dobberstein allegedly used to effect some of the transactions, has clarified Dobberstein’s status with the firm. Concerns mount Speaking to Namibian Sun, Erasmus said Dobberstein was never employed by PD Theron Associates but operated independently as a registered estate practitioner authorised by the Master of the High Court. “She was not employed by us. She had a workspace at our office and acted as a consultant – not just for us, but also for various other people. She also did a lot of private work,” he said. According to Erasmus, Dobberstein did not hold any formal position within the firm and used the office mainly due to its proximity to the Master’s office. Erasmus noted that while they had used her services as a consultant and had not previously encountered issues with her, concerns have now arisen regarding the alleged misuse of the firm’s official stamp on documents seen by Namibian Sun. “What bothers me is that there are matters where it seems she used the official stamp of the firm. If there are matters where she used our official stamp, we do not have that information,” he said. Erasmus confirmed that the firm has written to the Master of the High Court requesting details on any estate matters Dobberstein may have handled and is currently awaiting feedback. “At this stage, it seems these issues are more related to private estates, not those that have anything to do with PD Theron and Associates,” Erasmus explained. He also confirmed that the firm is investigating an unrelated internal matter involving the estate practitioner at the request of a client. Namibian Sun understands that investigations by the Master of the High Court are ongoing.