UN Namibia refugee staffer in court over alleged N$836 000 fraud
A United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) employee accused of defrauding refugees at the Osire refugee camp has been remanded in custody following his first court appearance in Windhoek on Monday.
Some refugee representatives have claimed that the alleged scheme left families without food or income for months.
Severinus Sainga (38), a community-based protection associate employed by UNHCR in Namibia, appeared before magistrate Nanghali Aikuhi yesterday on a charge of fraud involving more than N$836 000.
The State alleges that between January and November this year, Sainga falsely told refugees that cash assistance owed to them under UNHCR’s cash-based programme had been paid, while the funds were allegedly withdrawn for his personal use.
According to the charge, these alleged misrepresentations induced refugees, including complainant Victor Afande and others, to believe that payments had been made when they had not, resulting in potential losses amounting to N$836 385. Sainga has not yet entered a plea.
Aikuhi yesterday warned that the charge was serious and could attract a custodial sentence if the accused is convicted, given the amount involved.
Sainga was informed of his right to legal representation and to apply for bail.
The matter was postponed to 26 February for further investigation, and Sainga was remanded in custody, with the option to apply for bail before that date.
Devastating consequences
Speaking outside court yesterday, Afande, a refugee representative, welcomed the decision to keep Sainga in custody, saying he feared the accused might abscond if released.
“I believe if this guy is given bail, he will run away,” Afande told the media. He also claimed there are "so many people involved in this fraud".
Afande said the alleged scheme had devastating consequences for refugees at Osire, particularly families reliant on monthly assistance to survive.
He added that more than 111 families were affected, with some struggling for food or financial support over the past year.
“These families have been living with no food support and no financial support from January up to now,” he said. “People are desperate, and desperation has a voice.”
According to Afande, the prolonged lack of assistance has fuelled hardship within the camp, leading to increased theft, insecurity and survival-driven behaviour.
He alleged that some women had resorted to prostitution to feed their families, while petty crime had risen as residents struggled to meet basic needs.
October report
In October, Namibian Sun reported that more than 100 refugees at Osire had reportedly not received payments under UNHCR’s cash-based initiative, amid allegations of irregularities in beneficiary records.
At the time, UNHCR cited funding constraints.
UNHCR external relations officer Jan De Bisschop previously confirmed that not all registered refugees receive cash assistance due to limited funding.
He said the agency had shifted from in-kind food aid to cash transfers earlier this year, allowing families to purchase essentials locally while supporting the Namibian economy.
Payments are made via MTC Maris mobile money accounts registered to household heads.
De Bisschop added at the time that, amid declining global and local funding, UNHCR prioritises households with the greatest need, including families that consistently collected food aid in 2024 and newly arrived refugees at Osire.
He said profiles of resettled refugees are deactivated to prevent ineligible payments.
Some refugee representatives have claimed that the alleged scheme left families without food or income for months.
Severinus Sainga (38), a community-based protection associate employed by UNHCR in Namibia, appeared before magistrate Nanghali Aikuhi yesterday on a charge of fraud involving more than N$836 000.
The State alleges that between January and November this year, Sainga falsely told refugees that cash assistance owed to them under UNHCR’s cash-based programme had been paid, while the funds were allegedly withdrawn for his personal use.
According to the charge, these alleged misrepresentations induced refugees, including complainant Victor Afande and others, to believe that payments had been made when they had not, resulting in potential losses amounting to N$836 385. Sainga has not yet entered a plea.
Aikuhi yesterday warned that the charge was serious and could attract a custodial sentence if the accused is convicted, given the amount involved.
Sainga was informed of his right to legal representation and to apply for bail.
The matter was postponed to 26 February for further investigation, and Sainga was remanded in custody, with the option to apply for bail before that date.
Devastating consequences
Speaking outside court yesterday, Afande, a refugee representative, welcomed the decision to keep Sainga in custody, saying he feared the accused might abscond if released.
“I believe if this guy is given bail, he will run away,” Afande told the media. He also claimed there are "so many people involved in this fraud".
Afande said the alleged scheme had devastating consequences for refugees at Osire, particularly families reliant on monthly assistance to survive.
He added that more than 111 families were affected, with some struggling for food or financial support over the past year.
“These families have been living with no food support and no financial support from January up to now,” he said. “People are desperate, and desperation has a voice.”
According to Afande, the prolonged lack of assistance has fuelled hardship within the camp, leading to increased theft, insecurity and survival-driven behaviour.
He alleged that some women had resorted to prostitution to feed their families, while petty crime had risen as residents struggled to meet basic needs.
October report
In October, Namibian Sun reported that more than 100 refugees at Osire had reportedly not received payments under UNHCR’s cash-based initiative, amid allegations of irregularities in beneficiary records.
At the time, UNHCR cited funding constraints.
UNHCR external relations officer Jan De Bisschop previously confirmed that not all registered refugees receive cash assistance due to limited funding.
He said the agency had shifted from in-kind food aid to cash transfers earlier this year, allowing families to purchase essentials locally while supporting the Namibian economy.
Payments are made via MTC Maris mobile money accounts registered to household heads.
De Bisschop added at the time that, amid declining global and local funding, UNHCR prioritises households with the greatest need, including families that consistently collected food aid in 2024 and newly arrived refugees at Osire.
He said profiles of resettled refugees are deactivated to prevent ineligible payments.
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