🇳🇦NamibiaSouthern Africa
Seven crypto fraud suspects flee Namibia, warrants issued after court no-show
via The Namibian3 min read
Seven individuals accused of operating an international online fraud scheme from Namibia have failed to appear for a pretrial hearing in the Windhoek High Court, leading to the issuance of arrest warrants. State advocate Basson Lilungwe informed Judge Philanda Christiaan that the seven, who were out on bail, stopped reporting to the police earlier this year. Police visits to their residences found the premises empty, suggesting they have left Namibia. Six of the missing accused are Chinese citizens, and one is a Singapore national. Their bail deposits have been provisionally forfeited to the state. The remaining seven accused, including Chinese, Cuban, and Namibian nationals, attended the hearing. They face 65 charges, including trafficking in persons, fraud, racketeering, and money laundering. The state alleges that between December 2022 and October 2023, the accused recruited unemployed Namibians through Raylon Investments, training them to lure victims into investing in cryptocurrency accounts controlled by the accused. These recruited employees were allegedly subjected to forced labor and exploitation, and were made to create fake social media profiles to build relationships with victims. The state claims that victims were defrauded of approximately N$4.4 million in various currencies. The accused were arrested in October 2023, and the remaining defendants are scheduled for another pretrial hearing on May 20.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
The Landless People's Movement LPM advocates for state-owned enterprises SOEs to achieve financial independence and cease reliance on government bailouts. The party notes that since 1999, most SOEs have depended heavily on public funds, with few performing strongly, such as the Namibia Ports Authority, while the majority underperform. LPM leader Bernadus Swartbooi questioned why parastatals that monopolize the economy continue to receive public funds without competition, arguing that limited public resources should address urgent socio-economic needs. He attributed poor performance to politically motivated appointments, overlooking merit, and persistent victimisation and tribalism within many SOEs. LPM parliamentarian Eneas Emvula criticised the proposed Public Enterprise Governance Amendment Act of 2025, warning that placing entities under the Office of the Prime Minister could weaken their operational independence. Emvula stated that about 80% of SOEs have failed to make a meaningful economic impact, suggesting stronger business strategies could have prevented the current situation. He also doubted the viability of Namibia Air but suggested success through strategic partnerships. The government announced funding cuts for SOEs in the 2026/27 financial year, reducing subsidies and transfers to N$615.7 million, with Emvula noting that these 17–20% cuts should encourage entities to improve efficiency and become self-sustaining.
Swapo has not yet nominated a replacement for James Uerikua's National Assembly seat, despite Peya Mushelenga being next on the party list. Uerikua and his son, Venturo, died in a car accident over the Easter long weekend and were buried at Otjiserandu in the Otjozondjupa region. According to the Swapo Party's list, former international relations and information and communication technology minister Mushelenga is next in line. Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga stated that the party has yet to submit a name to the National Assembly, offering no detailed explanation for the delay, but said a name would be submitted soon. The party had previously indicated that the process would resume after Uerikua's burial. National Assembly spokesperson Sakeus Kadhikwa explained that the standard procedure requires the assembly to await a nomination from the party that initially designated the deceased member. The political party that nominated the member is responsible for submitting a replacement name to the speaker, who then formally declares the new member. However, the Constitution or standing rules do not prescribe a specific timeframe for filling a vacancy caused by death or resignation.
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