A 25-year-old Zimbabwean national, Simon Takudzwa, was denied bail in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court following his arrest for conspiracy to commit fraud.

He was apprehended alongside seven Namibians accused of forgery and other related charges.

Court documents reveal that Takudzwa had been deported from Namibia in 2023 but managed to re-enter the country.

It is alleged that the seven Namibians provided him with official confirmation letters to present at the Ministry of Home Affairs, intending to help him obtain a Namibian full birth certificate and enabling him to stay in Namibia.

The Namibian suspects include Isack Tjukunga, a 67-year-old local pastor accused of issuing a baptism card; Petrus Divingi, a 74-year-old headman of Sauyemwa East, accused of providing a birth confirmation letter; and Johannes Hasheela, 48, who allegedly misrepresented himself as Takudzwa's biological father.

Additional suspects charged with conspiracy to commit fraud include Presita Ndara, 25, who is said to be Takudzwa's girlfriend; Eugenia Hausiku, 56, the acting principal of a local primary school accused of issuing a school testimonial; Paula Moses, 26, a church secretary; and Maria Haikera, 45, who allegedly posed as Takudzwa's biological mother.

All seven Namibians were granted bail of four thousand each, with their next court appearance scheduled for June 4, 2025.