Lubango - The trial of the former director of the Planning and Statistics Study Office of the Government of Huíla (GEPE), António Ngongo, which began on Tuesday, was suspended due to the absence of an important witness in the case and it is to be resumed on September 30.
This is the defendant's ex-wife, Sílvia Diogo, who is allegedly out of the country for health treatment, and whose company she owns received a large amount of money from an act considered irregular by the courts.
The 2019 case also includes the former finance delegate, Sousa Dala, who is already convicted in another case that included the deceased former secretary-general, António Ndasindondyo, who also served a prison sentence.
The defendants are accused of the crimes of embezzlement, criminal association and money laundering, with a global value of about 477 million, a trial headed by the judge, Geraldo Ukuma.
In the first session regarding the collection of evidence, the defendants António Ngongo, 23, Sousa Dala, 33, were heard, however, three of the declarants have already died between 2019 and 2024.
This is the seventh manager during Marcelino Tyipinge's time in office to face legal action. The others are the former director of education, Américo Chicote, the director of Finance, Sousa Dala, from the Press office, Jaime Lombe, the then general secretary António Ndaindondyo (now deceased) and the former administrator of Chicomba, Lúcia Francisca, they have all served prison sentences.
This year, the former administrator of the municipality of Humpata, Paula Nassone was convicted and sentenced. Marcelino Tyipinge also has criminal proceedings underway at the Supreme Court, as at the time of the events he enjoyed special treatment, as he held the position of governor.
BP/MS/MRA/DOJ
