The formal bail application for six individuals accused of defrauding a fishing company of N$29.9 million has been postponed to 14 April 2025.

The matter was postponed due to the medical condition of Accused 1, Victoria George, who is heavily pregnant and currently hospitalised. George is self-employed.

The formal bail hearing was initially scheduled for 11 and 12 March.

Other accused are 53-year-old Cecilia Nakale, who is a Chief Administrator at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in Windhoek; Abisai Llifavali Ndeunyema, 34, self-employed; Elizabeth Kaapanda Shikongo, 30, a nurse at a Windhoek hospital; Elizabeth Niilonga, 54, a warrant officer at a correctional facility in Ondangwa; and 50-year-old Vitalis Iithete.

During the court session in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, Kadhila Amoomo, who is representing five of the six accused, requested that the bail application proceed by way of affidavit due to George’s medical condition.

The court agreed that applicants file their founding affidavits on 12 March and for the State to file opposing affidavits on 18 March.

Application to file replying affidavits is scheduled for 20 March, then submissions will be done on 24 March.

If the application proceeds via oral evidence, the dates reserved are 07-10 April 2025.

Additionally, the court ordered that Accused 3 and 6 receive necessary medical attention, noting that Accused 6 suffers from epilepsy and high blood pressure.

The court has also noted the defence’s request for a list of prospective witnesses to prevent any unintentional contact, aiming to avoid interference with state witnesses; however, the state has opposed this, noting it may put witnesses at risk.

The case continues on 14 April 2025, pending further investigations and the health status of the accused.

The accused are charged with fraud, forgery, uttering, and money laundering after they allegedly forged documents to secure a N$29.9 million loan purportedly for establishing a nursing institute.

Investigations, however, suggest that the funds were misappropriated for personal use, and the nursing school project never materialised.