A suspect, Immanuel Nowaseb, who is facing charges of fraud and money laundering, attacked coastal journalists when he appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court.

The suspect is believed to have stolen N$2.5 million from a prominent businessman using Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's name.

The 40-year-old Nowaseb is facing 15 counts of fraud and, alternatively, money laundering.

Making his first court appearance in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court, Nowaseb hit the journalists who filmed him with a book and told them to stop their actions.

Nowaseb allegedly pretended to be a representative of DPM Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and managed to defraud and solicit N$2.5 million from a businessman in the harbor town between November last year and January 2023.

The state has opposed bail, saying it is not in the interest of justice or the public if he is released.

The public prosecutor further revealed that the suspect has similar pending cases in other towns, including Windhoek, Swakopmund, and Okahandja.

Bail has been denied, and the matter has been postponed to May 31 for further investigation.