Scholtz’s bail conditions relaxed

The chairperson of the //Karas Regional Council and constituency councillor for !Nami?Nüs, Jan Scholtz, who is accused of corruption, is now allowed to travel outside the country on official duties. Scholtz, 48, and Bernard Waterboer, 46, the chief control officer (CCO) at the //Karas Regional Council, were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in December last year for allegedly using their positions to corruptly award tenders to acquaintances. The tenders awarded to Gerose Construction totalled N$540 081. They are both charged with two counts of corruption for allegedly contravening Section 43 (1), Act Number 8 of 2003 of the Anti-Corruption Act, which deals with the corrupt use of office or position for gratification. During their second appearance yesterday, Principal Legal Officer at the Keetmanshoop Court, Pieter Smit, said the travel ban bail condition on Scholtz was lifted and he can now get his passport back. In December last year, the court instructed both Scholtz and Waterboer to hand over their travel documents to the investigation officer and forbade them to apply for new travel documents until their case is finalised. Smit said the decision to lift the bail condition follows the request from Scholtz and Waterboer’s lawyer Gaave Joseph of Metcalfe Attorneys. Magistrate Philanda-Blockstein Christiaan informed the councillor on Tuesday that Scholtz is required to give a written notice well in advance to the investigation officer dealing before he travels. The rest of the bail conditions remain in force for Scholtz and Waterboer, who did not receive any exemption. The duo are not allowed to contact the Chief Regional Officer (CRO) of the //Karas Regional Council Saul Kahuika, the regional council’s director of planning Joseph Stephanus, Councillor Dawid Boois, Councillor Jims Christiaan and Adnan Boois, who is a council employee. Scholtz still has to report to the Lüderitz police once every week, while Waterboer reports to the Keetmanshoop police every Saturday. Scholtz on November 18, 2011 allegedly also corruptly tabled and motivated a financial assistance request for Tommy’s Meat Products at a council meeting, without disclosing that his stepson is the owner of the business. He is charged with contravening Section 43 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, Act Number 8 of 2003 in respect of the allegation regarding Tommy’s Meat Products, alternatively contravention of Section 16(1) of the Regional Councils Act, Act No. 22 of 1992. Their bail of N$20 000 each was extended to February 10 when they return to court for the fixing of a trial date.