Hertta-Maria Amutenya and Ester Mbathera
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has confirmed that an investigation into allegations surrounding a N$50 million lithium mining deal involving the Chinese company, Xinfeng Investments is ongoing.
ACC Commissioner Paulus Noa, on Thursday, told the Windhoek Observer that while the investigation is underway, details of the case cannot be disclosed.
“There is an investigation into the matter.”
Unfortunately, we are unable to share the finer details,” Noa said.
The case involves allegations that Xinfeng Investments paid a N$50 million bribe to secure access to a sought-after lithium mining concession previously held by Karlowa Mining Enterprises.
An exclusive prospecting licence (EPL) and mining claims, 68047, 68048 and 68049, for zinc, tantalum, and lithium minerals, which belonged to Karlowa Mineral Resources owned by Uis businessman Jaco de Klerk, were taken over by Karlowa Mining Enterprises.
This paved the way for the acquisition of the mining area near Uis, about 120 kilometres northwest of Omaruru, and handing control of the rich deposits to Xinfeng Investments.
Activities related to a high-profile mining license scandal were flagged to authorities as early as late 2022.
The scandal implicates several officials, including former technical advisor to the Minister of Mines and Energy, Ralph Muyamba, who resigned from his position in 2023.
Muyamba has denied any wrongdoing, while the minister of mines and energy, Tom Alweendo distanced himself from the matter, stating in 2022 that the ministry could no longer investigate Muyamba because of his resignation.
The minister has since reported Ralph to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), citing administrative irregularities.
The scandal involves multiple individuals allegedly facilitating the illegal transfer of the mining license to Xingfeng Investments by forging signatures.
Among the implicated persons are Timoteus Mashuna, a historian in the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Ndili Benyamen, a geologist at the mines ministry and a friend of Mashuna as well as Peter Shifwaku and Joseph Muyamba, both relatives of Ralph Muyamba.
Documents seen by the Windhoek Observer revealed that tracing over N$36 million in payments from Xingfeng to several entities and individuals.
The documents outline the distribution of funds as follows:
N$5 million to Karlowa Mining Enterprises, owned by Mashuna.
N$3 million to the Uanivi Gaes law firm.
N$21 million to Orange River Mining.
N$7 million to Grant Africa Investment, owned by businessman Julius Hamukwaya.
Further transactions include N$2.2 million transferred from Uanivi Gaes law firm to a Nedbank account belonging to Mashuna.
Documents also reveal financial exchanges between Mashuna and Hamukwaya, suggesting a close relationship.
N$4.7 million was moved from Karlowa Mining Enterprises to Uanivi Gaes law firm, of which N$3.1 million was transferred to a Standard Bank joint account held by Immanuel Iipanda and Benyamen.
N$1.5 million was sent to Paulus Nghifikepunye.
The funds were spent on luxury vehicles, properties, and other personal expenses:
Benyamen purchased a vehicle for his wife, Albertina, and construction materials for a home in Elisenheim, Windhoek.
Hamukwaya bought two VW Amarok pickups for N$2.2 million from Pupkewitz VW North in July 2022 and acquired property for N$500 000 through the law firm Koep and Partners.
Meanwhile, authorities are tracing additional funds of over N$14 million suspected to have been handled through cash transactions.
Despite ongoing investigations, no arrests have been made to date.
