Martin Endjala
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MODVA) is under scrutiny following allegations of a fabricated quotation of N$8 million for a single spare part.
In a letter dated 22 November from Windhoeker Maschinen Fabrik (WMF) which was cited by the ministry last week as having sold the part, raised questions about the authenticity of the quotation presented to the public.
The matter first came to light on 19 November, when Affirmative Repositioning (AR) party leader Job Amupanda questioned the quotation.
The MODVA denied the allegations during a press conference last week.
Colonel Petrus Anton, the managing director of WMF, claimed in a letter to Ndajoina Shalumbu, the chief executive officer of Logistics, that August 26 informed the ministry that the quotation did not exist.
Anton questioned why the tender company insisted on its production.
“I need to understand why you gave instructions to fabricate this quotation. You were informed that this quote does not exist, so why proceed to have it produced,” questioned the MD.
Anton claims that on August 26, he sent emails and instructions to WMF, instructing them to fabricate the quotation; however, this quotation was not included in the WMF memo.
It is alleged that Shalumbu held meetings with WMF staff without Aton’s approval and instructed WMF staff to proceed with producing such a quotation.
In another separate letter dated 22 November, Anna Max, the executive finance manager of WMF, said Shalumbu sent her an email on 20 November requesting a list of the parts making up the total of N$8 million.
Activist Johannes Johannes took to his socials regarding the matter on Sunday, stating that the fabrication revelations are facts.
He questioned why the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) still operates on state funds while they do nothing.
“I know President Nangolo Mbumba became a president by default, but given all this overwhelming evidence, as the chief of the Namibian Defence Force, what is he waiting for? When will he show his leadership skills before he steps down, at least for the lifetime salary that he will get and all other benefits? Let him act,” he said.
Questions sent to MODVA spokesperson Colonel Petrus Shilumbu regarding the allegations were redirected to August 26 board chairperson Brigadier-General Fillemon Shafashike.
Shafashike confirmed the letters and said they were brought to his attention on Friday.
“As such, I am not in a position to comment further at this stage. We are committed to transparency and will address the issue appropriately once the necessary information has been reviewed,” he stated.
He said the board will convene during the week to review the matter and establish the facts surrounding these claims.
The N$8 million quotation includes thousands of spare parts for 14 Werwolf vehicles.
Amupanda has characterised the alleged forced fabrication as a serious case of corruption.
This is not the first time August 26 has faced controversy.
In February, the company was taken to court by former managing director Salatiel Ntinda, who challenged his dismissal.
Ntinda was suspended for allegedly entering into a joint venture agreement without board approval and authorising payment of N$2.5 million to Penda Enterprises CC.
Court documents reveal that the board suspended Ntinda in June last year to investigate alleged financial irregularities. He served as managing director since his appointment in August 2018.
The board of August 26 Logistics is expected to convene this week to review the allegations of fabrication and determine the facts surrounding the matter.
