Short-lived fame for Tses fraud-accused
Monique Adams Elizabeth JosephTses/WindhoekA Tses native shot to national notoriety recently after it was revealed that he had allegedly stolen millions from an insurance company - money he had used to bankroll a popular entertainment spot at the village.Owner of Sopiso Entertainment Lounge, Vernon //Gamxamub (29) made his first court appearance in the Windhoek High Court on 11 April on charges of fraud after reportedly embezzling N$18 million from Hollard Insurance Namibia, and was released on N$20 000 bail. Before his crime was detected, however, //Gamxamub lived it up with the grand opening of the lounge at the end of January, which saw people travelling from as far as the capital and Noordoewer to attend the most talked-about show at the time. The artist line-up included DJs Spuzza and Castro as well as Adora and Tswazis, to name a few.
A few weeks later, the lounge hosted an Independence soccer tournament before playing host to South African songstress Nokwazi on 30 April.
Business as usual
Having started at Hollard as a financial administrator in 2019, //Gamxamub was promoted on 1 March to payments clerk, but has not returned to work since his arrest.
His alleged fraud was reported in early April after the company realised he had transferred funds into two bank accounts belonging to him. Hollard has since filed for a provisional order of sequestration against the 29-year-old, while his criminal case has been postponed to 26 July.
Despite handing over his passport to the court, it’s business as usual for Sopiso Entertainment Lounge, according to sources.
‘Put Tses on the map’
Meanwhile, members of the community describe the business owner as an inspiration who “put Tses on the map”.
According to an 18-year-old man from the village who preferred to remain anonymous, //Gamxamub “showed the young people of Tses that it does not matter where you come from to make your dreams a reality”.
“He created job opportunities for a lot of other young boys in the community who did not have anything to do,” the source said.
A few weeks later, the lounge hosted an Independence soccer tournament before playing host to South African songstress Nokwazi on 30 April.
Business as usual
Having started at Hollard as a financial administrator in 2019, //Gamxamub was promoted on 1 March to payments clerk, but has not returned to work since his arrest.
His alleged fraud was reported in early April after the company realised he had transferred funds into two bank accounts belonging to him. Hollard has since filed for a provisional order of sequestration against the 29-year-old, while his criminal case has been postponed to 26 July.
Despite handing over his passport to the court, it’s business as usual for Sopiso Entertainment Lounge, according to sources.
‘Put Tses on the map’
Meanwhile, members of the community describe the business owner as an inspiration who “put Tses on the map”.
According to an 18-year-old man from the village who preferred to remain anonymous, //Gamxamub “showed the young people of Tses that it does not matter where you come from to make your dreams a reality”.
“He created job opportunities for a lot of other young boys in the community who did not have anything to do,” the source said.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article