More arrests in Sanlam fraud probe linked to prosecutor killing

The sprawling Sanlam Namibia insurance fraud investigation linked to the murder of late prosecutor Justine Shiweda deepened on Friday after four more suspects appeared in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court, bringing arrests in the case to 17.

The suspects face charges including fraud, theft, forgery, corruption, money laundering and conspiracy, as police continue to investigate a suspected syndicate involving Sanlam Namibia employees, healthcare workers and outside accomplices.

The latest four accused are Paulus Penenayambeko Nuuyoma (42), a former Sanlam employee from Ondangwa; Albertina Simaneka Simeon (35) from Ekuku in Ondangwa; Getrude Nina Iipinge (39), a Sanlam employee based in Oshakati; and Hendrina Shooya (28), a teacher from Ondangwa.

Court documents allege three of the accused are Sanlam insiders who worked with an organised syndicate to manipulate insurance policies, forge hospital records and process fraudulent medical claims for financial gain.

Nuuyoma allegedly facilitated fraudulent payouts amounting to about N$1.2 million, as well as an additional N$69 000 allegedly connected to Abner Mateus, whom investigators have identified as the alleged mastermind behind the fatal attack on Shiweda.

Police allege the syndicate created false hospital records and medical histories to support insurance claims on behalf of relatives and associates, with proceeds shared among members and some funds used to acquire assets and property.

Shooya allegedly directly defrauded Sanlam through two fraudulent claims amounting to N$47 000. Police  allege she acted as a recruiter for the syndicate by collecting identity documents from third parties, completing fraudulent claim forms with accomplices and sharing the payouts once the claims were processed.

Complex network

State prosecutor Wisdom Ndakondja opposed bail, saying investigations remain ongoing and sensitive, with further arrests expected as police trace assets and financial transactions linked to the alleged network.

Magistrate Lydia Kambonde postponed the matter to 17 September. All four accused remain in custody.

So far, 17 people have been arrested in the matter and are expected to appear in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday for bail applications.

The Sanlam fraud probe has become increasingly linked to the murder of Shiweda, who died in February after spending months in hospital following an attack outside her Ondangwa home in October last year. She was allegedly shot multiple times and doused with acid in what authorities believe was retaliation for her refusal to facilitate bail for Mateus.