Justicia Shipena
Former Namcor Trading commercial manager Olivia Dunaiski says the N$10 000 payment she received from Venus Technologies CC was unrelated to Namcor business.
In an affidavit submitted to the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court, Dunaiski denied any wrongdoing in the high-profile Namcor fuel corruption case.
Dunaiski is seeking bail alongside 10 others who were arrested in the matter, including former managing director of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), Immanuel Mulunga.
The state alleges that she received a gratification payment from Venus Technologies on 4 August 2022.
“The payment was not for any moment in respect of any Namcor Trading or Namcor-related matter. The payment was made in respect of a consultation I did in relation to a feasibility study for an intended medical centre,” she said.
She said she intends to plead not guilty on all charges levelled against her during trial.
Dunaiski criticised the state’s case as weak and disorganised, echoing sentiments from her co-accused, and referred to the charges as “chaotic.”
She denied any knowledge of the alleged sale involving nine service stations.
“As far as I am aware there was an Asset Purchase Agreement concluded between Namcor Trading concerning the rights, interest and title to assets owned by Enercon.”
She said the agreement was preceded by a fuel supply agreement dated 16 March 2022.
Dunaiski said she was instructed by Davis Maphosa to draft an internal memorandum recommending the transaction after reviewing documents.
“I was convinced, having studied the said documents, that they made out a good business case and therefore supported the transaction. The internal memorandum was in any event simply a recommendation made for approval of the transaction.”
According to Dunaiski, the corporate governance team, led by Damoline Meroko and Ilda dos Santos, was responsible for reviewing the agreement to ensure the transaction served Namcor Trading’s best interests.
She denied conspiring with anyone to commit any offence or receiving any illegal payments.
“I have seen the several bank statements the state has provided herein relating to various payments made. I do unequivocally state that none of those transactions relates to me. I have not received any of the payments reflected therein,” she stated.
Regarding the misrepresentation charge, Dunaiski asserted that the state has not named the individual it accuses her of misleading.
“I have made no misrepresentation to anybody as alleged by the State. I am advised that the State has in any event failed to specify the person to whom I may have made any misrepresentation that was intended for Namcor as alleged.”
She argued that her continued incarceration is unjustified and amounts to anticipatory punishment.
“I am being punished for the unproven case and being berated by the state, as there have been deliberate efforts to publicise our arrest by the investigating authorities, who have been actively leaking information to the media clearly with the intention to arouse uninformed public outcry. This is a total misuse of pre-trial detention powers,” she said.
Dunaiski said she is not a flight risk and denied the claim that she would interfere with witnesses.
Currently unemployed and detained at the Namibia Correctional Facility, Dunaiski said she is a single mother responsible for the well-being of her 24-year-old son studying in Spain.
“I remain responsible for his financial and emotional well-being,” she stated. She said her entire life and family are in Namibia.
She offered to pay N$10 000 bail, surrender her passport, and report to the police thrice a week.
Dunaiski was arrested on 8 July 2025 after being contacted by a police officer, Inspector Anna, who asked her to collect an envelope.
After several location changes, she was ultimately arrested at the Klein Windhoek Police Station.
“Upon approaching the entrance to the police station, Inspector Anna yelled out my name, which I confirmed, and she then indicated that I am under arrest,” she said.
She said the officer refused her request to contact her lawyer and demanded her phone and password.
“I was told the reasons for my arrest was because of fraud and money laundering without any further details,” she said.
She claimed the officer told her, “Welcome to your hotel; I will see you here for the next ten years.”
