Walvis businessman arrested for fraud, forgery
LEANDREA LOUW
WALVIS BAY
A Walvis Bay businessman appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court on charges of fraud, forgery and tax evasion on Friday.
Luther Mostert (39) allegedly diverted chicken worth N$7.5 million to Namibia.
The consignment of chicken was subsequently sold illegally to local markets, the State alleges.
Magistrate Vicky Nicolaidis set his bail at N$140 00 and postponed the case to 28 October 2020. Some witness statements are still outstanding and another suspect needs to be located.
Chicken business
According to Deputy Commissioner Erastus Ikuyu, the chicken was in transit from Brazil to South Africa and was diverted to Namibia in December 2018 and January 2019.
Court documents state that Mostert presented documents purporting South Africa as the true origin of the poultry and thus did not pay tax.
Mostert was in custody at the port police station in Walvis Bay.
His bail conditions are that he may not interfere with the investigations or leave the district of Walvis Bay.
Earlier this year, various local media reported about irregularities in the poultry industry indicating that the chicken quota system appears to have been inadequately managed at times, which has led groups and individuals exploiting and abusing grey areas.
More fraud
Alexia Namases (47) who allegedly doctored receipts during March 2018 and December 2019, also appeared on a charge of fraud in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court.
She is accused of altering a receipt of an investment company stating that the amount was N$9 771.09 when it was only N$110.40, according to court documents.
The incident occurred on 3 December at the Namibia Ports Authority (Namport).
The accused allegedly did the same in March 2018 when she stated that the bill of landing of another investment company was N$6 650.50 when it was only N$650.68.
The amount she defrauded from clients by altering receipts while employed at Namport involves N$85 000.
Her case was postponed to 19 October 2020 and her bail was set at N$15 000. Investigations are not finalised yet, as some documents as well as footage are still to be obtained.
WALVIS BAY
A Walvis Bay businessman appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court on charges of fraud, forgery and tax evasion on Friday.
Luther Mostert (39) allegedly diverted chicken worth N$7.5 million to Namibia.
The consignment of chicken was subsequently sold illegally to local markets, the State alleges.
Magistrate Vicky Nicolaidis set his bail at N$140 00 and postponed the case to 28 October 2020. Some witness statements are still outstanding and another suspect needs to be located.
Chicken business
According to Deputy Commissioner Erastus Ikuyu, the chicken was in transit from Brazil to South Africa and was diverted to Namibia in December 2018 and January 2019.
Court documents state that Mostert presented documents purporting South Africa as the true origin of the poultry and thus did not pay tax.
Mostert was in custody at the port police station in Walvis Bay.
His bail conditions are that he may not interfere with the investigations or leave the district of Walvis Bay.
Earlier this year, various local media reported about irregularities in the poultry industry indicating that the chicken quota system appears to have been inadequately managed at times, which has led groups and individuals exploiting and abusing grey areas.
More fraud
Alexia Namases (47) who allegedly doctored receipts during March 2018 and December 2019, also appeared on a charge of fraud in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court.
She is accused of altering a receipt of an investment company stating that the amount was N$9 771.09 when it was only N$110.40, according to court documents.
The incident occurred on 3 December at the Namibia Ports Authority (Namport).
The accused allegedly did the same in March 2018 when she stated that the bill of landing of another investment company was N$6 650.50 when it was only N$650.68.
The amount she defrauded from clients by altering receipts while employed at Namport involves N$85 000.
Her case was postponed to 19 October 2020 and her bail was set at N$15 000. Investigations are not finalised yet, as some documents as well as footage are still to be obtained.
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