Also known as: judge Eileen Rakow · Judge Rakow · Lady Justice Rakow
High Court judge presiding over fraud and criminal cases in Windhoek, including the Jantjies fraud trial and Theodore Shipanga murder trial.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Judge Eileen Rakow agreed with Claasen's decision to dismiss Schultz's bail appeal
“Judge Eileen Rakow agreed with Claasen's decision to dismiss Schultz's appeal against being refused bail.”
N$52m cannabis farm accused loses bail appealThe Namibian
Judge Eileen Rakow sentenced Amanda Jantjies to 18 years' imprisonment on 873 counts of fraud
“Judge Eileen Rakow sentenced Amanda Jantjies (58) to 18 years' imprisonment, of which four years are suspended for a period of five years, on 873 counts of fraud.”
Jantjies couple jailed over N$9.98 fraud and theftInformanté
Judge Eileen Rakow sentenced Amanda Jantjies to 18 years' imprisonment for fraud
“High Court Judge Eileen Rakow sentenced Amanda Jantjies, 58, to 18 years' imprisonment for fraud, while Barnard Jantjies, 60, received a 14-year prison sentence for theft.”
Jantjies couple sentenced for N$9.98 million Ekonolux fraudThe Namibian
Judge Eileen Rakow heard oral arguments on bail appeal of Armand Schultz
“The delivery of the judgement was postponed to 21 July after judges Eileen Rakow and Claudia Claasen heard oral arguments on the bail appeal of South African citizen Armand Schultz yesterday.”
Okahandja cannabis plantation manager bail appeal decision delayedInformanté
High Court judge Eileen Rakow dismissed bail appeal application of Joel Angula
“The former Namib Diamonds (Pty) Ltd (Namdia) protection officer's application was dismissed and removed from the court roll by High Court judges of appeal Claudia Claasen and Eileen Rakow due to an incomplete bail record, which lacked the testimony of the investigating officer in the matter.”
Angula’s bid for bail denied as High Court rejects appealThe Namibian
Judge Eileen Rakow heard testimony from a married couple admitting guilt on fraud, theft and money laundering charges
“This is according to testimony heard by judge Eileen Rakow in the Windhoek High Court on Thursday.”
Jackpot dream sparks N$10 million gambling addictionThe Namibian
Judge Eileen Rakow presided over the trial of the married couple
“Amanda Jantjies (58) pleaded guilty to 873 charges of fraud and 871 counts of money laundering, while her husband, Barnard Jantjies (60), admitted guilt on 876 charges of theft and 871 counts of money laundering at the start of their trial before judge Eileen Rakow.”
Couple pleads guilty to N$9.9m fraudInformanté
High Court Judge Eileen Rakow convicted Amanda and Barnard Jantjies after they pleaded guilty to fraud charges
“AN ELDERLY couple, Amanda Jantjies (58) and Barnard Jantjies (60), have been convicted by High Court Judge Eileen Rakow after pleading guilty to charges levelled against them in relation to a N$9.9 million fraud case.”
Guilty pleas lead to conviction for couple accused of fraudInformanté
High Court judge Eileen Rakow warned Theodore Shipanga to refrain from talking over her and shouting during court proceedings
“PROCEEDINGS in the Windhoek High Court reached a crescendo after High Court judge Eileen Rakow warned murder and robbery accused Theodore Shipanga to refrain from talking over her and shouting during court proceedings, or face the consequence of the trial being heard in his absence.”
Shipanga trial slated to commence amidst court outburstsThe Namibian
Judge Eileen Rakow dismissed Smith's claim to unfreeze his bank accounts
“A claim in which investment scheme operator Ruaan Smith asked the Windhoek High Court to unfreeze his bank accounts was dismissed by judge Eileen Rakow on Friday.”
Windhoek crypto scheme operator loses court bid to unfreeze bank accountsA South African citizen's bail appeal was refused in the Windhoek High Court after a cannabis plantation valued at N$52 million was discovered at a farm in the Okahandja district. Judge Claudia Claasen found that the magistrate's earlier decision to deny bail was not wrong.
20 hours ago · The Namibian →
A South African citizen's bail appeal was refused in the Windhoek High Court after a cannabis plantation valued at N$52 million was discovered at a farm in the Okahandja district. Judge Claudia Claasen found that the magistrate's earlier decision to deny bail was not wrong.
20 hours ago · The Namibian →
Amanda Jantjies and her husband Barnard Jantjies were sentenced to 14 and nine years' effective imprisonment respectively in the Windhoek High Court after admitting guilt on more than 1,700 charges of fraud, theft, and money laundering totalling N$9.98 million. Amanda, a bookkeeper for bus service Ekonolux, defrauded her employer between January 2014 and November 2018 by making unauthorised payments to her own account and her husband's close corporation.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Amanda Jantjies, 58, was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment for fraud and her husband Barnard Jantjies, 60, to 14 years for theft after the couple was convicted of misappropriating approximately N$9.98 million from transport company Ekonolux between January 2014 and November 2018. Both were also sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for money laundering, with sentences to run concurrently with the main charges.
13 July 2026 · Informanté →
A High Court bail appeal decision for South African citizen Armand Schultz, arrested in connection with a cannabis plantation discovery at a farm near Okahandja in May last year, has been postponed to 21 July. Schultz and co-accused farm owner David van der Linden face charges related to cannabis valued at about N$52.2 million.
24 June 2026 · The Namibian →
A High Court appeal by Joel Angula, a former Namib Diamonds protection officer, to overturn a bail denial was dismissed due to an incomplete bail record lacking the investigating officer's testimony. Angula faces eight counts including murder in connection with an armed robbery where diamonds valued at N$335.6 million were allegedly stolen from the NAMDIA head office.
15 June 2026 · Informanté →
A former security guard accused of robbing and murdering a colleague while transporting cash was removed from a Windhoek High Court trial after repeatedly disrupting proceedings by claiming he was not charged and that his rights were violated. The judge recorded pleas of not guilty on his behalf in his absence.
9 June 2026 · The Namibian →
A married couple have admitted guilt on fraud, theft and money laundering charges involving close to N$10 million, after the husband's gambling addiction began following double jackpot wins at a Windhoek casino.
8 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Amanda Jantjies, 58, and her husband Barnard pleaded guilty to defrauding Ekonolux transport service of N$9.9 million between January 2014 and November 2018. As a bookkeeper, Jantjies transferred company funds to her personal account and her husband's business account, with N$3.4 million going to Bareli Building Services, while some payments covered personal expenses.
4 June 2026 · Informanté →
Amanda and Barnard Jantjies admitted guilt to over 800 charges each of fraud, theft, and money laundering involving close to N$10 million stolen from bus service Ekonolux between 2014 and 2018. Amanda, employed as a bookkeeper, made fraudulent payments from Ekonolux accounts to personal and business accounts under false pretences of supplier and client payments.
2 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Amanda Jantjies (58) and Barnard Jantjies (60) have been convicted by High Court Judge Eileen Rakow after pleading guilty to fraud charges. Amanda, a former bookkeeper at transport company Ekonolux, is facing 873 counts of fraud and 871 counts of money laundering for allegedly misappropriating N$9.98 million from the company between January 2014 and November 2018.
2 June 2026 · Informanté →
Theodore Shipanga, arrested in November 2011 for the murder of security colleague Shain van Wyk, appeared in Windhoek High Court as his trial commenced, with Judge Eileen Rakow warning him against disrupting proceedings or facing trial in his absence. Shipanga is accused of shooting van Wyk in the head during a cash-in-transit operation between Otjiwarongo and Okahandja, then absconding with N$2.5 million.
11 May 2026 · Informanté →
The High Court upheld appeals by six accused in the Namcor fraud and corruption case, granting them bail with restrictions on travel and movement. Judge Philanda Christiaan cautioned that courts should avoid informal labels like "Fuelrot" in discussing criminal cases, as such terminology can imply prejudgement and undermine public trust in judicial impartiality.
31 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Windhoek High Court judges found that a magistrate misdirected himself in refusing bail to six individuals accused in a purported N$400 million fraud at Namcor, citing selective assessment of evidence and failure to consider individualised circumstances and mitigating bail conditions. The six appellants—Peter and Malakia Elindi, Immanuel Mulunga, Olivia Dunaiski, Leo Nandago, and Jennifer Hamukwaya—were granted bail ranging from N$20,000 to N$50,000, subject to travel restrictions and regular reporting requirements.
30 March 2026 · New Era →
Six individuals charged in the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia fraud and corruption case have been granted bail by the Windhoek High Court after successful appeals, with the court finding material misdirections in the magistrate's earlier refusal. The accused include former Namcor executives and businessmen and are subject to strict conditions including movement restrictions and reporting requirements.
27 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A High Court appeals panel has granted bail to six accused persons in the Namcor fraud and corruption case, including former Namcor executives Jennifer Hamukwaya and Immanuel Mulunga, after they appealed against a Magistrate's Court refusal. Bail amounts range from N$20,000 to N$50,000, with conditions requiring reporting to the Anti-Corruption Commission twice weekly, surrendering travel documents, and not interfering with investigations.
27 March 2026 · Informanté →
A Windhoek High Court judge dismissed the attempt by cryptocurrency investment scheme operator Ruaan Smith to regain access to bank accounts frozen by the Bank of Namibia after the central bank found reason to believe he was conducting unauthorised banking business. The court upheld the Bank of Namibia's November 2021 decision to investigate Smith's accounts and the subsequent freezing of accounts at Nedbank Namibia.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A defence lawyer told the High Court that the magistrate's bail hearing for six individuals charged with fraud and corruption at Namcor was not conducted impartially or competently. The six accused, including former Namcor managing director Imms Mulunga and businessmen Peter and Malakia, are appealing against the magistrate's September refusal of bail in connection with alleged Namcor fraud involving the sale of filling station assets and unpaid fuel purchases.
16 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Six individuals charged in connection with alleged fraud and corruption at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia are appealing a magistrate's decision to refuse bail, with their lawyers arguing the magistrate adopted a hostile and selective approach to the evidence. The state alleges the accused were involved in fraudulent transactions relating to filling station assets sold to a Namcor subsidiary and fuel purchases that exceeded credit limits.
15 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Six individuals charged with defrauding Namcor are appealing a magistrate's refusal of bail, with their legal representatives arguing that the magistrate selectively assessed evidence in favour of the investigation officer while overlooking material facts and the accused's own concessions. The appellants contend the magistrate failed to properly consider disputed issues including the strength of the state's case and individual circumstances of each accused.
13 February 2026 · New Era →
A legal representative for two accused in the Namcor fraud case has appealed their bail denial before the High Court, arguing that the Magistrate failed to weigh evidence fairly and ignored concessions by the investigating officer that the accused posed no flight risk or public danger. The case involves allegations that ex-Namcor employees and private business owners conspired to defraud the state oil entity of over N$400 million through bogus asset deals.
13 February 2026 · Informanté →
Eight people—Namibian businessman Laurensius Julius and seven Chinese nationals—pleaded not guilty to 1,583 charges of customs fraud, money laundering, and false declarations before the Windhoek High Court. The state alleges they defrauded customs authorities and Nedbank by declaring incorrect import values and inflating freight costs to send inflated payments to China between 2013 and 2016.
22 January 2026 · The Namibian →
A trial began in Windhoek High Court for Chinese businessman Huang and others accused of defrauding the finance ministry of over N$3 billion through customs and tax evasion schemes. All accused pleaded not guilty to over 1,500 charges including fraud, theft, money laundering, and tax evasion.
21 January 2026 · New Era →
A bail appeal hearing for six individuals accused of defrauding Namcor of over N$400 million was postponed in the Windhoek High Court after judges found that legal representatives and the State had not filed required documents procedurally or on time. The matter was rescheduled to 12 and 13 February 2026 to allow parties five days to file proper legal documents.
15 January 2026 · New Era →
Jennifer Hamukwaya, arrested in a fraud and money laundering case linked to state-owned Namcor, is appealing her bail denial in the High Court, with her lawyer arguing that the magistrate relied on hearsay and speculation despite no funds being deposited into her personal bank account from the alleged N$1.4 million in question.
15 January 2026 · Informanté →
Five individuals accused of defrauding the state oil company Namcor of over N$400 million have had their High Court bail appeal hearing postponed to mid-February after parties failed to file required documents on time. The accused, who have been detained since July 2025, are challenging a magistrate's decision to deny them bail.
14 January 2026 · Informanté →