River-crossing fugitive forfeits N$500k

River-crossing fugitive forfeits N$500kCash, Rolex watch and gold necklace among assets The Covid-19 infected South African fugitive, whose arrest at a CBD apartment made headlines last June, has admitted guilt and forfeited his assets to regain his freedom. OGONE TLHAGE







WINDHOEK

South African fugitive Immanuel David, who illegally crossed the Orange River into Namibia last year, allegedly with the help of a police officer and Fishcor executive, has been successfully convicted and forfeited N$488 000 worth of assets to Namibian authorities.

David is of Namibian origin but has no nationality documents for this country, police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga confirmed.

Following his arrest last June in Windhoek, a day after crossing into the country illegally, the Karasburg Magistrate’s Court found David guilty of entry into Namibia through an ungazetted port of entry as well as for failure to declare goods.

The court further made an order to forfeit the goods to the State – with a combined value of N$488 000.

David allegedly used a canoe to cross into Namibia and was picked up from the Noordoewer border by Fishcor finance general manager Paulus Ngalangi, who then transported the South African to Windhoek.

A Namibian police officer, Hendrik Nghede Hidipo, is said to have accompanied the pair on the trip.

Flashy traveller

The Karasburg Magistrate’s Court last November sentenced David to 12 months in prison or a fine of N$5 000 for illegally entering Namibia. He was also sentenced to 24 months in prison or a fine of N$15 000 for not declaring goods upon entering the country.

David’s forfeited assets include US$1 100 cash, a TAG Heuer Aquaracer wrist watch valued at N$28 000, a Rolex Oyster wrist watch valued at N$280 000, and an 18-carat gold necklace valued at N$163 000.

Namibian Sun reported in June 2020 that David's initial arrest placed South African police authorities, who believed he is linked to a N$65 million robbery in that country in 2015, on tenterhooks.

Ndeitunga, who said at the time he was in contact with South African police about possibly handing David over for the alleged robbery, yesterday said the Namibian police’s involvement in the matter ended when he was charged and incarcerated.

Ngalangi in court in April

The case against Ngalangi and Hidipo was postponed to 16 April to allow for plea and trial.

They both pleaded not guilty in the matter and their cases were separated from that of David, who admitted guilt and was punished for his crimes.

Ngalangi has previously defended his decision to assist David and roped in Hidipo to comply with the law, he said in a statement last year.

“I picked up the gentleman at Noordoewer at the Engen Service Station on the Namibian side of the border and proceeded to drive to Windhoek,” Ngalangi said. “The sergeant drove all the way to Windhoek. Please note that I asked the sergeant to accompany me on the basis that I don't want to get myself on the wrong side of the law,” he added.