Martin Endjala
The National Petroleum Corporation (Namcor) suspended the terminal manager at the National Oil Storage Facility in Walvis Bay due to a loss of stock and commercial documentation at the facility.
Ellis Egumbo’s suspension became effective on 24 July, and it was announced in a statement released on Friday.
The corporation intends to use the suspension to facilitate a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.
“Namcor reiterated its steadfast commitment to upholding the highest commercial transparency and ethics standards in all its interactions with stakeholders,” read the statement.
The petroleum corporation discovered earlier this year that the suspected fuel theft from the storage facility had cost them approximately N$1 million in revenue.
The Windhoek Observer reported in February that they discovered a discrepancy between the loading of 39 993 litres of 50 ppm diesel in December 2023 and 39 891 litres of the same product in January 2024.
Despite loading documents suggesting that the two loads were destined for a customer’s site, there is no evidence that the bulk fuel customer has arrived or received the product.
The state-owned entity conducted an extensive internal investigation into the theft, which proceeded with opening a case of theft with the Walvis Bay Police. It is collaborating closely with the regional law enforcement authorities to resolve this matter.
So far, four people have been arrested between February and March for allegedly stealing N$1 million worth of fuel from Namcor.
The suspects are Simeon Shilongo (38), Graham Platt (46), Jason Malima (26), and Denzel Mulunga (21), the nephew of suspended Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga.
According to reports, Malima is related to Victor Malima, chief executive of Enercon, a military fuel supplier company taken to court by Namcor for struggling to pay back the N$60 million it owes to the state-owned national oil company.
The company’s interim managing director, Ebson Uanguta, said the company is committed to taking every step to address this unbecoming behaviour.
He assured clients, stakeholders, and the general public of the company’s unwavering commitment to serving them to the best of its abilities.
“Namcor is committed to transparency and accountability. While the corporation will not disclose commercially sensitive information or any information that may impede ongoing investigations, it will provide stakeholders with updates at appropriate times.
According to Uanguta, Namcor is steadfast in its pursuit of justice and asset protection and maintains its focus on delivering reliable and secure energy solutions to the nation.
Further reports state that the police are looking into an organized syndicate that is stealing fuel from the company after 69 trucks allegedly failed to deliver cargo to customers.
The investigation process has already started.
