Sanlam trio get N$25 000 bail

Three suspects in the alleged N$2 million Sanlam fraud case secured bail of N$25 000 each last week, but a co-accused already out on bail was told he must wait until the case is concluded to recover property seized during their arrests.

Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court magistrate Yvette Fredericks on Thursday granted bail to Vitalis Angula Nepembe, Abner Samuel and Penehambembeko Nuuyoma Paulus.

In a separate application, accused Festus Amwaalwa, who is already out on bail, asked the court to release two cellphones confiscated when he was arrested.

"It has been months since my two phones were seized upon my arrest, but until now I have not received any update on when I will get them back," Amwaalwa submitted. "I need my phones. Right now I am busy looking for jobs and studying, yet I have no smartphone."

The State opposed the application, and Fredericks dismissed it, ruling that seized property would not be returned while investigations were continuing.

"This case is still under investigation and no one will be handed their properties, be it cellphones, car keys or anything that was seized from them, until the matter is concluded," Fredericks ruled.

Relaxed conditions

Fredericks granted Nepembe, Samuel and Paulus bail, reasoning that they face similar charges to co-accused who are already out on bail and that it would be prejudicial to keep them in custody.

The three were ordered to surrender their travel documents, report to the police once a month, not commit similar offences and not interfere with State witnesses or the ongoing investigation.

The court also relaxed the bail conditions of the accused who had previously been released. They had been required to report to the police twice a week but asked to report less frequently, saying the requirement was affecting their employment and job-seeking efforts.

Fredericks granted the application and ordered them to report to the police once a month, on the first Friday of every month.

The accused face charges of fraud, forgery and uttering over an alleged scheme involving fraudulent insurance claims exceeding N$2 million.

The State alleges that the accused, who include medical doctors, an intern doctor, nurses and financial advisers, conspired to fabricate and falsify medical documents and hospital records to facilitate fraudulent insurance claims from Sanlam.

The medical professionals implicated in the case are primarily linked to Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital and Omuhungo Clinic.

The matter was postponed to 4 February 2027 for further investigation and to allow the State to finalise its case.