Kuvee Kangueehi
2 July 2008
Windhoek — Deputy Director in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Sackey Namugongo, pleaded not guilty to 13 counts out of 43 counts when his case resumed in the Katutura Regional Court yesterday.
Appearing before magistrate Sarel Jacobs, Namugongo pleaded not guilty to the charges, which in total include corruption, fraud, theft or alternatively forgery and uttering.
When the case resumed yesterday morning, Namugongo faced 46 counts but three were withdrawn by the State.
Namugongo who was also the Head of Division for Gambling, Casino and Lotteries in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism did not finish his plea yesterday and is expected to continue this morning.
According to the charge sheet Namugongo, who is also a well-known television presenter, allegedly granted 19 fake gambling licences to 18 individuals and in the process stole funds to the tune N$385000.
Namugongo was arrested by investigators from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) at Hosea Kutako Airport on corruption, fraud, forgery and uttering charges on September 17, 2006 on his way back from South Africa.
The first count against Namugongo is that he contravened the Anti-Corruption Act, based on allegations that Namugongo had corruptly used his office or position in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism for gratification. He is facing 19 alternative charges of theft under the corruption charges, and 22 counts of fraud, alternatively forgery and uttering
According to the charge sheet, Namugongo without authorisation allegedly received, processed and issued the said Gambling House Licences and illegally issued a letter of acknowledgement, which was not an official document of the ministry.
It appears that Namugongo committed these acts between March and September 2006 and he reportedly issued the last fake licence on September 11, 2006, seven days before he was arrested on September 17.
The charge sheet also indicates that the amounts Namugongo allegedly charged his clients varied. He would issue a fake licence for N$20000 to some people, while he would charge others as little as N$6500.
Some individuals were charged N$10000 for application fees and then charged an extra N$1000 for each gambling machine, according to reports.
The 18 people who claim to have been issued fake licences are Petrus Shambo, Ananais Nangombe, Jesaya Nakaumba, Philemon Erastus, Paulinus Shilomboleni, Tiranus Tshihome, Petrus Hangula, Martinus Martin, Erastus David, Petrus Gabriel, Nambele Petrus, Eliaser Angula, Ericky Angula, Simon Nambahu, Ithete Ndume, Petrus Ekandjo, Linus Iimbumbu and Jafet Andreas.
The amounts that the 18 people paid varied from N$6500 to N$60000 and these people are expected to be State witnesses when the case continues today.
Titus Mbaeva is representing Namugongo, while Deputy Prosecutor-General, Orben Sibeya, represents the State.
Namugongo's N$20000 bail was extended to today.
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