Two education officials and a businessman arrested for tender corruption out on bail

Staff Reporter

VERONICA Goagoses (54) and Cornelius Willemse (53) from the Ministry of Education have been released on bail, along with businessman Desmond Kays (56), after being arrested for tender corruption.

Goagoses and Kays were granted bail of N$50 000 each, while Willemse was granted bail in the amount of N$25 000.

The trio made their first appearance in the Katutura regional court following their apprehension by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for defrauding the Ministry of almost N$3 million. The funds were given to SSIT Trading Enterprises CC, owned by Kays.

According to the ACC, SSIT Trading Enterprises CC was awarded two tenders in March 2018 to supply and deliver photocopy machines to the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) for N$451 080 and to the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC) main office for N$1 145 412 in May 2018.

It was discovered that Goagoses approved and processed a one-time payment of N$451 080 and N$1 145 412 for the two tenders. Willemse certified the purchase orders, stating that the photocopy machines were correctly delivered and received by the ministry on 1 March and 22 May 2018, respectively. However, it was later revealed that not a single photocopy machine had been delivered.

The ACC further revealed that even after receiving the false one-time payments from the ministry, Kays continued to bill the ministry for a monthly rental payment on both tenders through his company, despite never delivering any machines.

Goagoses is also accused of corruptly soliciting, accepting, or agreeing to accept gratification from Kays between 1 March and 30 May 2018. This includes asking for numerous favours in cash and fuel for her own benefit or that of another person as an inducement or reward for providing assistance or using influence or having previously provided assistance or used influence in payment of the price, consideration, or other money.

Willemse and Goagoses are both charged with violating section 43 (1) read with sections 32, 43 (2), 46, 49, and 51 of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2003 (Act No.8 of 2003), while Kays is charged with fraud and violating section 42 (1) (b) read with sections 32, 46, 49, and 51: Bribery for assisting with contracts (giving gratification for assistance or influence in the payment of money in terms of a contract).