Windhoek: Magistrate Olga Muharukua will on 28 October 2025 rule whether Cedric Willemse, a 52-year-old dual citizen of Namibia and South Africa, will be granted bail. Willemse is charged alongside former Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga, Jennifer Hamukwaya, Panduleni Hamukwaya, Peter Elindi, Leo Nandago, Malakia Elindi, and Ester Elindi on a number of corruption charges. They were arrested in July for allegedly embezzling over N.dollars 400 million from Namcor.
According to Namibia Press Agency, in his final arguments on Tuesday, Willemse said he was born in Keetmanshoop and has been based in Namibia until his arrest. He has three children, all of whom are Namibian by descent, and a 75-year-old mother, along with siblings, all residing in Namibia. His lawyer, Boris Isaacs, insists that he has no intention of fleeing the country, offering to reside on his farm situated 45 kilometres from Okahandja in the Otjozondjupa Region, if granted bail.
However, the State, represented by Basson Lilongwe, counters that the charges against Willemse are of a serious nature, involving not only fraud but also bribery and kickbacks, which allegedly flowed into his personal and business accounts. The prosecution argues that the total amount of public funds misappropriated could have been used to fund essential government projects but instead ended up in the pockets of a few individuals, including Willemse.
According to the investigating officer, transactions on his personal bank accounts show a clear pattern of misappropriation. The State further criticises that Willemse claims that the money was from the sale of livestock but has failed to provide the necessary permits from the State Veterinary or Meat Board of Namibia to support this explanation. Without such evidence, the State maintains that Willemse poses a significant flight risk, especially given the magnitude of the charges.
With the ruling scheduled for 28 October, Magistrate Muharukua will decide whether Willemse can await trial at home or must remain in custody.