Net closes in on SME Bank robbers

Nearly two years after the SME Bank was closed down, its liquidators are finally moving in on the Zimbabweans who jointly stole no less than N$347 million from the bank in a matter of one year. In their latest High Court application liquidators David Bruni and Ian McLaren have applied for the attachment of Namibian assets left behind by at least five of the fraudsters. After Judge Collins Parker granted the order yesterday, advocate Raymond Heathcote, acting on behalf of the liquidators, asked that a lawyer serve the notice on the Zimbabweans because they are “powerful and corrupt”. They have until 26 April to show cause why their assets should not be attached. The fraudsters are said to have fled Namibia when it became clear that the Bank of Namibia (BoN) was poised to take over the SME Bank's affairs in March 2017. They are: former non-executive board director Enock Kamushinda, former CEO Tawanda Mumvuma, former finance manager Joseph Banda, former administrative assistant in the finance department Chiedza Goromanzi, and Lyndon Gaidzanwa. Heathcote said although the grand theft at the bank might not be the material of a bestselling book, it was certainly a “step-by-step guide” how to steal from a bank. Kamushinda Kamushinda is said to have been the mastermind behind the brazen misappropriation of the SME Bank money and is accused of having “actively participated in the dissipation of the funds”. Two of Kamushinda's companies, Crown Finance Corporation and Heritage Investment Holdings, are alleged to have been “clearly recipients” of the money stolen from the SME Bank and are liable to repay that money to the liquidators. Kamushinda, while having done everything in his power to stop the liquidators tracing the missing millions, is accused of having acted fraudulently when he received the money. Crown Finance and Heritage are said to have been used by Kamushinda as vehicles to perpetrate the fraud and theft. Liquidator Bruni said he intended to institute proceedings against Kamushinda to declare him personally liable for all the liabilities of the SME Bank, as well as his companies Crown Finance and Heritage Investments. Proceedings will be instituted against Kamushinda for the recovery of the total amount missing from the SME Bank, as well as all outstanding liabilities. Kamushinda's assets in Namibia include a company called Monsoon Investments CC, of which he is the sole owner. He is also the owner of an 80% stake in Mid-Way Properties CC, as well as 80% of Azores Business Consultants CC. His wife, Caroline, holds the remaining 20% in Azores. Kamushinda also has eight ordinary shares in Greytal Investment, eight ordinary shares in Axtro Investments, and is the sole owner of the Windhoek Golf Estate Number Thirty Seven CC. Capital Finance and Heritage Investments, the liquidators pointed out, no longer own active bank accounts in Namibia. Kamushinda's co-accused have all closed any bank accounts they had in Namibia and the liquidators fear they will dispose of their assets as soon as they are aware of this court application. MUMVUMA It is alleged that when Mumvuma left Namibia, he left the keys of one of his desk drawers at the SME Bank office. The drawer contained personal belongings which included three books, entitled 'Every Day a Friday', 'Fasting – Opening the Door to a Deeper More Intimate, More Powerful Relationship with God', and 'Money Laundering Affects Us All'. Mumvuma also left in his drawer R4 000 in cash, of which R1 800 mysteriously disappeared. A case of theft would be opened in respect of the R1 800, the liquidators indicated. BANDA The young Banda is the owner of Unit 16 in a housing complex known as Guinas Court in Windhoek. GOROMONZI Goromonzi, who was an administrative assistant in the SME Bank finance department but also acted as personal assistant to Kamushinda, left four pairs of shoes and a leather-bound diary at her workstation. GAIDZANWA Lawyer Gaidzanwa, who is said to be “entrenched” in Kamushinda's businesses and the alleged recipient of stolen SME Bank money, is the sole shareholder and director of FBL Transport. He is also the sole owner of Flem Corporation Investments CC. MORE PERPETRATORS INVESTIGATED The liquidators said they were in the process of issuing summonses against other accomplices in South Africa. “At this stage, given the amount involved, ... there is no possibility of an over-recovery from wrongdoers. However, it is our intention to over-recover, and this issue will be dealt with in due course,” the liquidators said. FEAR OF 'BREAK-IN' The said liquidators in their urgent court application that they did not rule out a “break-in” at the SME Bank to remove movable assets. “The stakes are high. Burglaries have occurred already in South Africa,” they said. The liquidators said should Kamushinda and the others involved in the “grand fraud and theft” be allowed to dispose of their assets here, the liquidators would have to follow them wherever they might find themselves and institute fresh action against them. Such action would, however, place a further burden on the SME Bank.CATHERINE SASMAN

Net closes in on SME Bank robbers

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-26

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Net closes in on SME Bank robbers

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-26

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