Aupindi, Di Savino sentenced to pay fines for false information

WINDHOEK, 25 OCT – Former Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) Managing Director Tobias Aupindi and his Italian business partner Antonio di Savino, were on Thursday sentenced to pay a fine of N$50 000 each or 30 months imprisonment if they fail to pay the imposed fine.
The two businessmen were found guilty and sentenced in respect of corruptly providing false information to an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) authorised officer William Lloyd, by stating that Aupindi had paid N$50 000 in cash to local company LIC Pools for a swimming pool installed at his house in Hochland Park during 2008.
Windhoek Magistrate Helvi Kauna Shilemba handed down the sentence in the matter Thursday afternoon after she found the two businessmen guilty as charged Thursday morning.
The two men’s protracted trial that began on 06 February 2012 was dealt with under the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act of 2003.
In her ruling, Magistrate Shilemba said the prosecution team during trial, led by Senior Public Prosecutor Arrie Husselmann, proved beyond reasonable doubt that Aupindi did not pay for the swimming pool himself, and that Di Savino in fact paid for the pool as a kickback in exchange for tile tenders awarded to him for refurbishment work done at NWR resorts across the country.
Senior defence counsel Advocate Richard Metcalfe and Louis du Pisani strongly petitioned the court to impose a punishment in the form of the payment of a fine and to not send their clients to prison.
Public Prosecutor Bernadine Bertolini, assisted by colleague Marcus Angula, represented the State during the handing down of the sentence.
The two businessmen were seen making arrangements for the payment of the fines shortly after the handing down of the sentences.
Aupindi, 44, and Di Savino, 40, are both first offenders with no record of previous criminal offences.
Aupindi is a current member of the Swapo Party’s Politburo and Central Committee.
(NAMPA)