Namcor suspect Panduleni Hamukwaya granted N$200 000 bail

Windhoek Magistrate Jozanne Klazen has granted N$200 000 bail to Panduleni Hamukwaya, one of the suspects in the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) fraud and corruption case.

The magistrate said her decision to grant bail pending the trial was in the interest of justice.

Hamukwaya, the husband of former Namcor finance executive Jennifer Hamukwaya, has been in custody since July 2025.

He is accused of receiving funds into his business, Panduleni Farming CC, allegedly linked to proceeds from unlawful activities connected to the controversial Namcor–Enercon transactions.

In his bail application, Hamukwaya maintained his innocence.

He told the court he is a father of two minor children and supports another dependent child.

He said both he and his wife are in custody, leaving their children without parental care.

He further submitted that his children are suffering emotionally due to their incarceration and that he plays a key role in managing his farming and business operations, which are seasonal and require his direct involvement.

Hamukwaya also told the court that he faces the risk of losing his employment if he remains in custody.

He added that he had an opportunity to flee on the day of his arrest but chose not to, instead cooperating fully with the police. He further claimed that he has not yet been formally interviewed and does not fully understand the basis of his arrest.

During cross-examination, Hamukwaya denied the allegations against him, stating that money received from Quality Meat Supplies, linked to fugitive Victor Malima, was intended for a wildlife project on his resettlement farm.

He said he had already received government approval for the project.

He also maintained that funds used to settle personal loans were lawful loans from his close corporation, which he is permitted to access under company law.

In her ruling, Klazen found that Hamukwaya had shown, on a balance of probabilities, that he is a suitable candidate for bail.

The court noted that he is a Namibian citizen with a fixed address, immovable property and strong family ties within the country. She further found that the risk of abscondment is low, particularly as he did not attempt to flee when given the opportunity and would be the primary caregiver to his children if released.

“The interests of the public and the administration of justice will be better served if the accused is admitted to bail,” Klazen ruled.

The court granted bail subject to strict conditions, including that Hamukwaya must surrender his passport, report to the investigating officer three times a week, and remain within the Windhoek district unless granted permission. He is also prohibited from interfering with witnesses or investigations and must attend all court proceedings.

Bail opposed

In opposing bail, Anti-Corruption Commission chief investigator Oberty Inambao testified that Hamukwaya is married to a senior Namcor official who allegedly facilitated irregular transactions not in line with company policies.

Inambao told the court that fuel was supplied without credit guarantees and that payments made under an asset agreement with Enercon were used to offset credit, with some funds allegedly flowing to individuals involved in the deal, including payments into Panduleni Farming CC.

The matter has been remanded to 21 April for a Section 119 plea.

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