Orphan fraud case ready for trial

The case of a local estate administrator, who stands accused of fraud and embezzling funds belonging to several orphaned children between 2015 and 2017, is now ready for trial.

Mervin Kozonguizi (43) made another appearance before High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg during a pre-trial case management conference yesterday.

His fraud case was allocated to acting Judge Kobus Miller and the trial will start on 14 October.

Windhoek-based defence lawyer Titus Mbaeva is representing Kozonguizi, while State advocate Ezekiel Iipinge is the prosecutor.

Kozonguizi is free on N$100 000 bail, which was extended until his next court appearance.

Kozonguizi stands accused of defrauding the Master of the High Court between 2016 and January 2017 by pretending he was entitled to receive funds from the estate of the late Gustav Tjiuiju.

It is alleged he received nearly N$7.1 million from the estate, while he was not entitled to the money. It is further alleged he also defrauded the Master of the High Court on 5 December 2015 by pretending he was entitled to N$2 million from the estate of the late Yolandi Dorothy Beukes.

The accused operates under the name Kozonguizi and Associates and administered estates registered at the Master of the High Court on behalf of the beneficiaries.

He was arrested on 15 January 2018 by investigators attached to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).