Cops’ corruption case features prophets, potions and perjury

Police are investigating a matter involving a potential false report or perjury in a case within an existing corruption case against a senior police officer who was also implicated in the SME Bank saga. 

The case now involves tit-for-tat allegations, a Namibian Police employee who doubles as self-confessed prophetess and healer, alleged police corruption and a victim with an admitted close relationship with a senior police officer. 

This has come after the surfacing of a sworn statement suggesting that the 2025 corruption case against three senior police officers deputy commissioner Rector Sandema Sandema and two senior detective inspectors Martin Basson and Johannes Anghuwo, was based on false accusations allegedly made out of spite. 

However, the case is not as straightforward as it appears, with the police now opting to remain tight lipped. Police chief, inspector general Joseph Shikongo is yet to respond to detailed questions about the case sent to his office two weeks ago.

BRIBES 

It all started in March last year, when The Issue reported that Sandema, Basson and Anghuwo were arrested and each faced two counts under the Anti-Corruption Act. They have been charged for abusing their positions to solicit and receive N$25 000 from Saima Petrus, a businesswoman. It was further reported that Sandema allegedly took N$17 000 of the loot while Basson allegedly received N$3 500 and Anghuwo N$2 500. 

It was alleged that after police frustrated Petrus, she turned to Sandema to help resolve things, only for him to allegedly swindle her out of money. At the time of their arrest, February last year, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said in a statement that the three officers solicited bribes from the businesswoman. She had lost her motor vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser, in a theft under false pretences case. The car appears to have been recovered but then impounded by police. 

In an effort to get the car released to her, Petrus fell victim to what appears to be an extortion ring run by the three police officials. The three are out on bail and are expected to appear in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on 2 June for pre-trial proceedings. 

WILDCARD 

The case against the three senior police officers now hangs in the balance with the surfacing of a statement under oath alleging that the case against Sandema in particular was false and  that the complainant Saima Petrus falsely accused him and allegedly paid N$30 000 to have him arrested. These allegations were contained in a statement dated 12 January 2026, made by a Joolokeni Ndamanguluka Nghoshi, who works as a cook for the Otjomuise Police Station in Windhoek. 

The statement was commissioned by Katrina Andreas, who is a deputy commissioner in the Police Conduct and Investigation Directorate, also known as the internal investigations directorate (IID). 

In the statement, Nghoshi claims that she is a healer and prophetess. She also claims that Saima Petrus approached her on 3 December last year, with a request that Nghoshi pray for her because she has had abdominal pain for some time. 

It was through their encounters that Petrus allegedly informed Nghoshi that Sandema bewitched her because she falsely accused him and had him arrested. The statement says Petrus also informed Nghoshi that she and Sandema had a close relationship like that of a mother and son. That Sandema helped her stave off her in-laws who wanted to strip her of her late husband’s estate.

According to Nghoshi’s statement, their relationship with Petrus also turned sour after the herbs she prescribed or arranged for Petrus did not yield the desired effect. This led to Petrus reporting Nghoshi to the police.

CONFUSION 

Nghoshi, when contacted for comment, initially requested an in-person meeting at her work place, but later refused the meeting stating that deputy commissioner Andreas instructed her not to talk to the media as that would jeopardise police investigations. Andreas, referred questions to the police’s public relations division. Police chief Shikongo’s office did not respond to emailed questions requesting clarity on the case. 

ACC spokesperson Marina Matundu, confirmed that the case against Sandema and his two coaccused is still active and that the ACC is not aware of any parallel investigation regarding the matter or accusation that bribes were paid for the three officers to be arrested. Matundu, however, also informed The Issue that the case was referred to the ACC by police chief Shikongo himself. 

Sandema two weeks ago, told The Issue that he was not aware of a parallel investigation looking into claims that he might have been falsely accused. “No one have (sic) interviewed or briefed me in the matter or any new developments on the matter,” he said in a text response. 

He also confirmed having a close relationship with Petrus dating back to 2004. “As a result of that have acted as a significant other to her in both good and bad times,” read his text. 

Saima Petrus, who is at the centre of the two cases, told The Issue in a brief telephonic interview that the two cases have nothing to do with each other. She maintains that she was scammed by Nghoshi and insists that Nghoshi got information about her from close friends to help her fabricate the statement. 

Petrus also stated that she reported Nghoshi to Shikongo. She also confirmed having known Sandema for a long time but that her case with Sandema has nothing to do with her case against Nghoshi.