Magistrate Jurina |Hochobes recused herself from the NAMCOR corruption case on Tuesday.

Before recusing herself |Hochobes told the Windhoek Magistrate's Court that she did not know any of the accused persons in the matter, but said the State's announcement in August that it intended to seek her recusal had created public speculation. 

The State did not provide reasons for its position.

Following the recusal, Magistrate Olga Muharukua is now the new presiding officer who heard the bail application of former Namcor Logistics manager Cedric Willemse.

Led by his lawyer, Boris Isaaks, Willemse testified that NAMCOR made misrepresentations by issuing guarantees to pay for fuel shipments purchased by its subsidiary, Namcor Petroleum Trading & Distribution, despite not being in a financial position to honour such commitments.

Willemse said he resigned from Namcor Petroleum Trading and Distribution in October 2023 and was not dismissed.

He further told the court that he owned multiple businesses and properties before his employment at NAMCOR in June 2022. 

Willemse said he currently owns a farm in the Okahandja area, bought for N$12.9 million through a bank loan, and that his income comes from farming. 

He added that he owns four flats in Rehoboth.

Willemse said he was previously a consultant at NAMCOR before becoming the logistics manager at Namcor Trading and Distribution, later serving as acting executive logistics. 

He testified that he had been investing his funds before joining the company, refuting claims that NAMCOR was the source of his wealth.

He further told the court that at the start of his appointment, he intended to declare his business interests but was advised against it by NAMCOR Managing Director Immanuel Mulunga.

Willemse said that during his tenure, Namcor Trading shifted from buying fuel locally to sourcing directly from international suppliers. 

He testified that he negotiated 90-day credit terms with suppliers, with each shipment costing about N$500 million, and overlapping deliveries exposing the company to more than N$1.5 billion.

The former NAMCOR executive said some board members of Namcor Trading and Distribution refused to sign guarantees because the company lacked sufficient funds. 

However, he said the parent company's guarantees from NAMCOR allowed the subsidiary to continue importing fuel.

The bail hearing will continue on Wednesday at ten.