Five convicted in Avid/SSC scandal

It was a mixed pot for the Avid/Social Security Commission seven accused when Judge Christie Liebenberg found former deputy minister Paulus Kapia, Inez /Gâses and Ralph Blaauw guilty of fraud. One of the kingpins in the matter, Nico Josea, was found guilty of theft by conversion, while Sharon Blaauw was found guilty of reckless conduct of business. Former NDF Brigadier Mathias Shiweda and former Avid director Otniel Podewiltz were acquitted. According to Liebenberg, no reckless fraudulent conduct of business was found against Shiweda, while no fraudulent conduct was proven against Podewiltz. The judge also found that Kapia, /Gâses, Podewiltz, Ralph Blaauw and Shiweda were not guilty of contravening sections of the Companies Act. Sharon Blaauw and Josea were found guilty for contravening sections of the Companies Act. The seven were on trial since 2014 following their arrest in 2008 for their involvement in the N$30 million Avid Investment/SSC fraud scandal.
STAFF REPORTER