| · Denver Kisting
Erongo Regional Police Deputy Commissioner Andrew Iyambo is biting nails, as he will hear this morning what the court's verdict is in his fraud trial.
Iyambo initially stood accused of having defrauded Namsov fishing company and/ or the Erongo Regional Sport Club of close to N$10 000. This came after he had written a letter on a police letter head, requesting Jan Arnold the company's MD for a sponsorship to purchase tyres for Iyambo's scheme vehicle to enable the policeman to travel to Otjiwarongo in August 2006. Iyambo said in the letter, help was needed for his “official vehicle” to attend a regional commanders' meeting as well as a national police sport championships. It was testified that this letter was written after Arnold, during an earlier meeting, told Iyambo that he “could not get involved in personal donations”.
During closing arguments, it emerged that the amount was now reduced to around N$6190 the amount paid for the tyres. The remaining approximately N$3800 was allegedly used for subsistence.
State Prosecutor Hermina Apollus on Tuesday argued that there had indeed been misrepresentation on Iyambo's part because of the fact that the letter was written on an official letter head and signed by the accused in his official capacity. Moreover, Apollus said, Iyambo referred to an “official vehicle”.
Apollus also argued that there had indeed been prejudice one of the elements of fraud.
On her part, Johannta Vermaak, Iyambo's lawyer, maintained that there was no dishonesty or misrepresentation by her client. “There was no unlawfulness and no intention to make a false pretence. If one looks at the circumstances as well as the sequence of events, it could not be said beyond reasonable doubt that there was a misrepresentation or any intention to do so.”
Regional Magistrate Gaynor Poulton remanded the trial until 09h00 this (Friday) morning for judgment. |
