Luqman Cloete
2 December 2008
A CORRUPTION case against the Managing Director of fresh produce importers and suppliers Dirk Fruit, Shamil Dirk, has been postponed for the Prosecutor General's decision.
Dirk, charged under the Anti-Corruption Act, yesterday appeared in the Karasburg Magistrate's Court along with the former customs chief at Noordoewer, Stephanus Owoseb, who faces a charge of bribery.
Dirk allegedly paid kickbacks to Owoseb to evade import levies on fresh produce consignments entering Namibia from South Africa.
Dirk allegedly deposited various amounts to the tune of N$700 000 into a bank account in the name of Owoseb's son.
The two are set to return to court on April 24 2009.
Both remain free on bail.
Dirk's bail of N$100 000 was revoked in May after he allegedly breached bail conditions, but it was reinstated in October.
The alleged breach of bail conditions stemmed from alleged attempts by Dirk to work through a former employee, Phillip Amwaala, to persuade a secretary at the office of the Anti-Corruption Commission to sneak out crucial export papers needed for the trial.
State Prosecutor Barry Mufana yesterday told The Namibian that the State could not lay a charge in connection with the alleged breach of bail conditions because of a lack of evidence.
As a result Dirk now only faces a charge of corruption.
The section under which Dirk is charged deals with bribery of public officers.
If someone is found guilty of contravening this part of the Act, he or she can be sentenced to a fine of up to N$500 000 or imprisonment of up to 25 years, or both.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 The Namibian. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
