Windhoek: A former Windhoek International School finance manager has been found guilty on all charges related to a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme that saw over N.dollars 2.8 million stolen from the school's bank account. Acting High Court Judge Makapa Simasiku delivered the verdict on Wednesday, convicting the 52-year-old Maria Coetzee on 18 counts of fraud and one count of money laundering.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Coetzee used her position at the school between March and October 2018 to transfer N.dollars 2.8 million into three personal bank accounts. She attempted to divert a total of N.dollars 3.38 million, but some transactions were blocked before they could be completed. The fraud came to light after the school detected irregularities in its accounts.

Coetzee was released on bail of N.dollars 10 000 but failed to appear for a scheduled pre-trial hearing in May 2020 and fled the country to neighbouring South Africa. She remained at large for nearly three years until a Cape Town court ordered her extradition in March 2023. Deputy Prosecutor General, Tangeni Iitula, led the state's case throughout the proceedings. Pre-sentencing proceedings are expected to be heard on 01 October 2023.