Justicia Shipena
Self-employed plumber and accused number nine in the high-profile Namcor fuel corruption and bribery case, Leo Nandago Stefanus (36), says he was approached by Austin Elindi, son of businessman Peter Elindi, to start a petroleum company in which he would hold shares.
Stefanus said Austin came to him towards the end of 2019 or early 2020 with the idea of establishing Erongo Petroleum CC.
He made this statement in an affidavit submitted as part of his formal bail application at the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.
“Sometime towards the end of the year 2019 or at the beginning of the year 2020, Mr Austin Elindi… approached me with an idea of registering a petroleum company,” he said.
Erongo Petroleum was registered in February 2020.
Stefanus initially held 40% of the company. His share increased to 70%, and by May 2022, he became the sole shareholder. He said he later transferred his entire interest to Austin in February 2024.
He told the court that during the period between December 2022 and May 2023, when the alleged fraudulent fuel supply transactions took place, he was not the sole shareholder, as claimed by the state.
“Thus, the state’s allegation that I was during the said period the 100% shareholder of Erongo Petroleum is factually incorrect and at odds with the documents in the police docket,” he said.
Although listed as an authorised signatory on the company’s bank account, Stefanus said he had no online access.
He stated that Austin handled all operations under powers of attorney signed by the members.
“The operations of the business were attended to by Austin,” he said, adding that Austin acted on behalf of the company without further input from others.
The state alleges Stefanus unlawfully received fuel worth N$228 million between 1 August 2022 and 4 May 2023.
The state further claims the fuel was acquired through racketeering and that Stefanus knew or should have known it was the proceeds of unlawful conduct.
During Stefanus’ first court appearance last month, prosecutor Menencia Hinda told the court the funds were allegedly used to set up and run Erongo Petroleum CC and Quality Supplies CC.
The state alleges that on 26 July 2022, Stefanus transferred N$350,000 from Erongo Petroleum’s bank account to Quality Meat Supplies CC.
That money was later transferred to Cornelius Petrus Willemse, then a Namcor employee and now a co-accused.
Stefanus denied the state’s claim that he paid N$500,000 to Quality Meat Supply CC as a gratification for Jennifer Hamukwaya, Namcor’s then-executive for finance and administration, who has also been arrested.
Jennifer concluded her testimony in the bail application on Monday.
Stefanus also challenged the fraud charge and its alternative of theft under false pretences.
He said the fuel acquired from Namcor was paid for in line with a fuel supply agreement between the companies.
Based on bank statements provided by the state, he claimed that Erongo Petroleum paid Namcor N$59.5 million between 1 December 2022 and 30 May 2023.
“There is simply no factual basis on which the allegations against me could be premised. I deny the aforesaid allegations against me in the strongest terms and intend to plead not guilty,” he said.
Stefanus was arrested on 10 July 2025 and appeared in court the next day.
He is applying for a bail of N$5,000, saying he earns about N$10,000 monthly through plumbing and construction work.
He said the bail amount would be sourced from friends and family.
“I have no intentions of becoming a fugitive of the Namibian criminal justice system,” he said.
He added that he is willing to surrender his passport and comply with any bail conditions.
Stefanus said he has no pending trials or previous convictions and has never interfered in investigations.
“I intend to have my day in court and to prove my innocence in trial,” he said.
He argued that the state’s case is weak and based on flawed assumptions.
He asked the court to grant him bail pending the trial.
Those arrested in the case include Peter Elindi, his brother Malakia Elindi, former Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga, Cornelius Willemse, Jennifer Hamukwaya, her husband Panduleni Hamukwaya, Olivia Grace Dunaiski, and Lydia Elindi, wife of Malakia.
Victor Malima, also named in the matter, has reportedly fled to Angola and is subject to a warrant of arrest.
Companies named in the case include Onyeka Clearing and Forwarding CC, Nyambali Medical Centre CC, Panduleni Farming CC, and Parkwood Petroleum Logistics CC.
The bail application continues.
