Windhoek: Former Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) board chairperson Dirk Conradie faces a N$200 000 fine or five years in prison after being convicted on two charges under the Anti-Corruption Act.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the Windhoek High Court delivered the sentence on Monday, while also fining his co-accused, Sara Damases, N$60 000, or a two-year prison term in default of payment. Judge Thomas Masuku convicted Conradie and Damases in February on charges of corruptly soliciting gratification as a reward for using influence to procure a contract, as well as attempting or conspiring to contravene the Anti-Corruption Act.

The case stems from a June 2012 meeting between Conradie and directors of advertising agency DV8 Saatchi and Saatchi. The court found that Conradie proposed that the agency take Damases into its business as a black economic empowerment partner or in another capacity. In return, he offered to use his influence as MTC board chairperson to help secure an advertising contract for DV8 worth about N$60 million.

In determining Conradie's sentence, Masuku regarded his use of his position as chairperson of the MTC board as an aggravating factor. The judge, however, noted that both Conradie and Damases are first-time offenders and that neither individual ultimately derived personal benefit from the proposed arrangement.