No S&T delays verdict

Magistrate Helvi Shilemba was due to deliver judgment on Tuesday in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court in the corruption trial of Tobie Aupindi, former Namibia Wildlife Resorts chief, and businessman Antonio di Savino.

This was postponed to 21 and 22 February because court officials did not put in a requisition for Shilemba to travel to Windhoek from Eenhana to deliver her judgement.

The matter has been dragging on since February 2012 when the two first made their appearance before Magistrate Shilemba.

Aupindi and Di Savino were charged by the Anti-Corruption Commission. It is alleged that Di Savino paid for the construction of a swimming pool at Aupindi's residence in a bid to secure an NWR tender. The two were also charged with providing false information to an ACC officer, alternatively obstruction of justice. At one point during the trial, the two asked Magistrate Shilemba to recuse herself. She refused and her decision was upheld on appeal in the High Court. Ntelamo Mabuku appeared for the State while Louis du Pisani appeared for Di Savino and Richard Metcalfe for Aupindi.



STAFF REPORTER