By Staff Reporter

Copyright web

Staff Reporter

CEDRIC Willemse, the former executive of supply and logistics at Namcor Trading and Distribution (Pty) Ltd, said he had been too ill to notice that a reservist, allegedly a friend of Immanuel Mulunga, tried to help him escape from custody while he was admitted to hospital.

Willemse (52), who is charged with fraud, money laundering, and corruption in the state petroleum supplier, answered questions regarding an alleged failed escape after being transferred from prison to hospital on 11 July 2025.

According to the state, a Mercedes-Benz, which belonged to a police reservist, followed Willemse while he was being transported from prison. The reservist, who was guarding Willemse’s hospital room, was subsequently chased away by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigator Oberty Inambao.

Willemse, answering questions from his lawyer, said that prison authorities arranged his transportation to the hospital and that he did not see any Mercedes-Benz following the prison van.

“No worship, I was not aware. I was very sick. I explained to court what my blood sugar levels were. I was also unsure of my blood pressure. I wasn’t paying attention to anything other than being miserable with my head down between my legs. I do not know any reservist who knows Mulunga. I only saw police uniforms and Mr. Inambao, who came later. I did not see Inambao chase out the reservist. I was in bad shape. When I got to the rooms I was admitted to, they took my blood, put me on a bed, and put a drip on me. I was refused medication for three days on instruction of Inambao. This is a malicious attempt to cover up those actions,” Willemse said.

He furthermore denied that Victor Malima’s company, Quality Meat Supplies, through which bribes were allegedly channeled, was a briefcase company that only existed on paper, as only a residential property was found at its business address.

Willemse testified that Quality Meat Supplies also had a contract with NWR, which paid it a total of N$3 million, while Quality Meat Supplies also ordered meat products from companies such as Rapid Bites, Hartlief, and Grey City Investment Meat Lovers, which were also paid by Quality Meat Supplies.

He further produced a herd count document from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Veterinary Department from April 2024, which showed that he owned cattle worth N$4 million, as well as close to 600 goats and over 150 sheep.