N$49.4 million frozen in Namibian accounts over alleged illegal coal mining in South Africa
N$49.4 million in Namibian bank accounts belonging to Jacobus Jordaan, an Aranos area farm owner, and his wife, Elza Jordaan, have been frozen under a Prevention of Organised Crime Act property preservation order. This action stems from an alleged illegal coal mining operation in South Africa. The Windhoek High Court confirmed an interim property preservation order issued in December 2024, affecting eight bank accounts held by the Jordaans, their company Welgevonde Farming, and Namka Trust. Prosecutor general Martha Imalwa applied for the order after the Namibian Police received information from the South African Police Service regarding alleged illegal coal mining at farm Witkranz in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. This farm, where coal was allegedly mined illegally from November 2021 to September 2023, belonged to Pant Beleggings, a close corporation with the Jordaans as its sole members. Approximately 270,000 tonnes of coal, valued at N$264 million, were reportedly mined illegally. Forensic reports indicate large sums were transferred from the couple's South African accounts to their Namibian accounts between June and December 2023, totaling N$66.7 million in deposits. Imalwa alleges these funds are proceeds from unlawful activities, specifically money laundering or coal theft from the South African government. The Jordaans face criminal charges in South Africa, including fraud, theft, money laundering, and contravening the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Ac
