Patience Makwele
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula has raised fresh questions about a proposed N$612 million solar power project linked to the Chinese-owned Tsumeb smelter.
Itula alleged that companies associated with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s sons are involved in the development.
He has called for full public disclosure of the project’s documentation.
In a media statement released on Thursday, Itula presented what he described as the “Sinomine-Massaus power file”, arguing that the public deserves answers regarding the ownership structure, licensing process and governance arrangements surrounding a project connected to one of Namibia’s most strategic industrial assets.
The opposition leader said the issue is not whether members of the President’s family may legally participate in business ventures, but whether sufficient transparency exists when politically connected individuals are linked to projects involving public institutions and regulated economic opportunities.
“We are not saying the deal is corrupt. We are saying the public cannot verify that it is clean,” Itula stated.
At the centre of the controversy is a planned 20-megawatt solar power facility intended to supply electricity to the Tsumeb smelter, a major industrial operation acquired by Chinese mining giant Sinomine Resource Group in 2024.
According to documents cited by Itula, a memorandum of intent was signed between Sinomine and Massaus Investment CC, a company allegedly represented by Tate Nande Ndaitwah, one of the President’s sons.
Itula further claimed the project is linked to Farm 865 Massaus in the Oshikoto Region, which he says is owned by President Nandi-Ndaitwah and her husband, retired General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah.
The IPC leader questioned whether all relevant documentation relating to land use, project ownership and regulatory approvals has been made available to the public.
He also highlighted what he described as inconsistencies between company registration records, environmental clearance documentation and project agreements, saying these matters require clarification from the relevant authorities.
Among the key questions raised is the relationship between Massaus Investment CC and another entity, Massaus and Titan Energy Solutions, which reportedly holds environmental approvals linked to the project.
Itula additionally questioned whether public infrastructure, including the national electricity grid, would be utilised by the project and what agreements may exist between the developers, NamPower and other state institutions.
The allegations form part of a broader campaign by the IPC leader, who has in recent months raised concerns about what he describes as increasing links between politically connected individuals and opportunities in the petroleum, energy and logistics sectors.
While no evidence of wrongdoing has been presented and no official findings have been made against any of the individuals or entities named in the statement, Itula argues that greater transparency is required to assure the public that proper governance processes were followed.
