Theft and fraud couple out on bailA Windhoek psychologist and his wife, accused of fraud and theft by false pretences, have been granted bail of N$35 000 each. Joostes ‘not a flight risk’ 0 A husband and wife facing multiple charges of theft by false pretences and a charge of fraud were granted bail of N$35 000 each yesterday, four months after their arrest in June.Ockert Jooste (54), a clinical psychologist and rehabilitation centre owner, and his wife Mylene (50), who has served time behind bars for a previous fraud conviction, were granted N$30 000 bail each in a case in which they face five counts of theft by false pretences.
In a second case, where they are facing a charge of fraud in the amount of N$1.8 million, the State withdrew its objection to bail and Magistrate Alweendo Sebby Venatius granted them bail at N$5 000 each.
Their bail conditions include reporting to the police twice a week, handing over their travel documents and not applying for new travel documents. They may not leave the Windhoek district without permission from the police.
The magistrate warned them not to interfere with witnesses or complainants, directly or indirectly, as they had done while they were behind bars.
The couple indicated during their bail hearing that they planned to plead not guilty to the charges at the start of their trial.
Magistrate Venatius said the State had proved that the couple had interfered with the investigation by asking complainants to withdraw the matter.
He said the court was not convinced that the accused were a flight risk because they have family, property and business ties in Namibia. The couple have two children living with them and two adult children. In their bail application they submitted that their family responsibilities were being neglected because of their detention.
Ockert Jooste testified that he is the only registered psychologist working at My Wellness 24/7, the rehabilitation centre he had founded. He told the court that his income was approximately N$270 000 per month coupled and his expenditures averaged N$220 000 a month.
According to him, the wellness centre had ground to a halt since his arrest, accumulating losses of up to N$600 000 a month.
The couple told the court they owned three properties in the country but had lost one house and sold a bakkie to settle costs.
Mylene Jooste testified that she was employed as her husband’s secretary and “all transactions made by her were on his instructions”.
She said she also worked as a “lay counsellor” at the rehabilitation centre and earned about N$20 000 each month.
The couple claimed in court that they did not pocket the money they were paid by the complainants, but used it to settle debt.
“He is not disputing that he took their money from people and used that money to pay other creditors,” the magistrate cited Ockert Jooste’s testimony.
Venatius said despite Mylene Jooste’s previous conviction and incarceration on similar charges she “denied a propensity to commit these crimes”.
She said imprisonment had affected her emotionally, psychologically and physically.
The case was postponed to 5 December for further investigation. Prosecutor Ivann Tjizu appeared for the State while Kennedy Haraseb represented the Joostes.