WINDHOEK: Police investigations in to the alleged corruption case of prominent Windhoek-based lawyer Dirk Conradie and a friend are not yet complete.
Conradie and Sarah Damases made another appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court here on Friday morning when they were informed that their alleged corruption was to be postponed to 14 September this year, pending further police investigations in the matter.
‘Police investigations into this matter are not yet finalised. However, there is progress with regard to police investigations as there are only two outstanding statements to be obtained from State witnesses, ‘ said Public Prosecutor Hendricks Tholiso as he asked the court for a postponement.
As per agreement reached by the prosecution and the defence lawyers representing the two accused persons, the matter was then postponed to 14 September this year in order to enable the police to wrap up (complete) their investigations.
Conradie and Damases were arrested last month by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on charges of corruption.
The duo was arrested by the ACC last month in connection with a N.dollars 60 million advertisement contract for Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), on whose board Conradie serves as the chairperson.
Damases is accused of allegedly ‘conspiring with Conradie to commit an offence’.
ACC acting director Erna van der Merwe earlier said Conradie allegedly ‘corruptly solicited a gratification as an inducement or reward for giving assistance or using his influence in the promotion or procurement of a contract with MTC for the provision of advertising services’.
Conradie is one of Namibia’s most renowned lawyers, and has appeared in several high-profile court cases.
He also serves in various influential national positions and boards, including the Lands Tribunal.
The two are free on bail of N.dollars 30 000 each, which was also extended until their next court appearance on 14 September this year.
They appeared before Windhoek Magistrate Vanessa Stanley today.
Local lawyers Sisa Namandje of the Namandje Legal Practitioners and Lot Haifidi of the Shikongo Law Firm are representing the two accused persons.