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namib times SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6588 TUESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Battle heats up over “non-existent” Rössmund Golf Estate It is no golf estate - it is an ordinary suburb of Swakopmund that happens to be situated next to a golf course - resident
Floris Steenkamp
The Rössmund suburb of Swakopmund has allegedly been misrepresented as a golf estate to prospective buyers. Furthermore, each of the home owners has notarial bonds against their title deeds in favour of a Section 21 Company which never existed. A Section 21 Company number not related to the registration has allegedly been fraudulently used for the registration purposes at the Deeds Office. These are some possible damaging pieces of evidence against developer Wim van der Plas and coastal attorneys Danie Malherbe and Gerhard van der Merwe, after criminal charges of fraud and theft under false pretense were laid against the trio in August this year at the Swakopmund Police (CR 58/08/2016). Angry residents first noticed all is not well when they questioned half of their levies paid to the Rössmund Golf Club. Upon closer inspection they discovered to their astonishment they never bought into a golf estate, but merely purchased a plot in the Rössmund suburb, which happens to be situated next to a golf club. Then further shocking discoveries: The notarial bonds registered against their Title Deeds were for a Section 21 Company that does not exist. A
fraudulent Section 21 Company number was allegedly utilised. Then it was also discovered the Rössmund Golf Estate Home Owners Association to which they pay levies has no standing, by virtue of the fraudulent Section 21 Company number. A complaint was lodged with the Anti Corruption Commission of Namibia against van der Plas, Malherbe and van der Merwe. The Commission after investigation recommended criminal charges be laid against the trio. In the meantime, the Rössmund Golf Estate Home Owners Association lodged an application in the Swakopmund magistrates court yesterday, for the rectification of these Notarial Deeds against this non-existent Section 21 Company. Nine Rössmund home owners oppose this application on the grounds the magistrates court has no
jurisdiction over such matter and that any application involving the Deeds Office can only be launched in the High Court of Namibia. The matter was postponed yesterday morning indefinitely for the presiding magistrate to consider the arguments whether the magistrates court has jurisdiction over the matter. · The Rössmund Golf Estate has never been a bona fide golf estate development they now claim, but was merely an ordinary suburb of Swakopmund that happens to be situated next to a golf course. When Rössmund suburb was marketed for sale some years ago, the impression was created this is part of the Rössmund Golf Course and part of the larger golf estate. Only after they purchased property did residents discover they never bought into any golf estate development. They then Continues on page 2
inside Swakop taxis to be numbered
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Swakop owes NamWater Fisheries Ministry admits asses- no money sing Chinese businessman’s request for export of live seals to Asian Aquarium trade Erwin Leuschner The Fisheries Management Committee of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) is currently reviewing an application by a Chinese company to catch and export live seals for the Asian aquarium trade. This was now confirmed by the spokesperson of the MFMR to namib times. The ministry remains tight-lipped if the company is also considering to catch other marine species for this purpose, including penguins, dolphins and whales. The initial application It was made by the confirmed the applito catch live marine company “Welwit- cation “for the export species in Namibian schia Aquatic and of live seals.” waters was now lea- Wildlife Scientific Once the Fisheries ked to the namib times Research Pty Ltd,” Management Comby confidential sour- with the technical sup- mittee has reviewed ces. The project car- porting partner “Bei- this application it will ries the headline jing Ruier Animal send a recommen“Scientific Research Breeding & Promoting dation to Minister Bernhard Esau. “The a n d R e a s o n a b l e Co.” Development of Ma- Yesterday the spo- Minister will then rine Biological Re- kesperson of the Mini- decide whether to stry, De Wet Siluka, sources.” Continues on page 2
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Women’s soccer kick off
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