Katima Mulilo – South African citizen Chante Coetzee has been sentenced to 15 years of direct imprisonment following her conviction on multiple charges including motor vehicle theft, selling stolen property, and money laundering.
The 38-year-old was extradited to Namibia earlier this year after being arrested in Zambia in October 2024. Her arrest followed a red notice issued by Interpol at the request of Namibian authorities.
According to court records, Coetzee had rented a Toyota GD6 pickup from Kuomboka Car Hire and Rentals in the Zambezi Region between 24 June and 2 July 2024, ostensibly for tourism purposes. However, she instead crossed the border into Zambia with the vehicle, without the consent of the rental company.
She later sold the vehicle in Lusaka and fled to South Africa through Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. Authorities tracked her down when she attempted to re-enter Zambia via the Kazungula border post in October 2024, leading to her arrest.
Presiding over the matter in the Katima Mulilo Regional Court, Magistrate Barry Mufana handed Coetzee a 10-year sentence for theft of a motor vehicle, and an additional five years for the sale of stolen property. She also received a five-year sentence for violating Namibia’s Money Laundering legislation, which will run concurrently with the sentence for selling the stolen vehicle.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court ordered Coetzee to repay N$480,000 – the assessed value of the stolen vehicle – to Kuomboka Investment. The repayment falls under a civil order issued in accordance with Section 32 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Act No. 29 of 2004).
This case underscores Namibia’s commitment to combating transnational crimes and ensuring justice in matters involving cross-border criminal activity.
