Walvis Bay Rural Constituency councillor and former Erongo Regional Council chairperson, Florian Donatus (43), was granted bail of N$50 000 following his first court appearance in Swakopmund on Tuesday.
Donatus faces 26 charges, including 13 counts of fraud, 13 counts of money laundering, and an alternative theft charge, linked to goods worth just over N$116 000. The matter was postponed to 29 October 2026.
According to the state, Donatus allegedly misrepresented himself as authorised to make purchases on behalf of the Erongo Regional Council at Metro Cash & Carry in Walvis Bay between December 2024 and June 2025. The transactions form the basis of both the fraud and money laundering charges under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
Outside court, Donatus dismissed the matter as “a political gimmick” and refused to comment further. His legal team stressed that his voluntary surrender should not be seen as an admission of guilt.
The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), of which Donatus is a member, confirmed his arrest and said it would monitor the case to ensure his rights are protected.
