Katima Mulilo: Three people arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) last week in connection with a fraudulent drought food relief supply scheme of over N.dollars 4 million briefly appeared in the Katima Mulilo District court for a formal bail hearing on Monday. Their case was dealt another blow as it was postponed to 21 May for a formal bail application and they were remanded in custody.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the trio face several counts, such as the contravention of certain sections of the ACC Act of 2003, prevention of organised crime, and corruptly using office for self-gratification. They are 52-year-old Zambezi Regional Council Chief Control Officer Simataa Jimmy Simataa and business owners Grodinah Nankole Liswaniso (44) and Gurion Siseho Siseho.

The ACC alleges that Simataa conspired with Liswaniso and Siseho to falsely create documents, including a purchase order and supporting documents, creating the impression that drought relief goods to the value of N.dollars 4 million had been delivered and the contract fulfilled.

The State, represented by Sylvious Malange, last week objected to the granting of bail to the trio, citing among others the seriousness of the matter, and that the accused could be a flight risk and that it is not in the interest of the public at this early stage to grant them bail.

Simataa and Siseho were represented by Inonge Mainga, legal practitioners, while Liswaniso indicated that she will be represented by Kalundu Kamwi, legal practitioners.