Ester Mbathera
The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) has dismissed fraud claims and allegations of unpaid contracts made by Hype.UP Limited, a Ghanaian tourism service provider company, labelling them as baseless.
The NTB is facing allegations of fraud of over US$51 123.92 (N$957 909.91) in unpaid contracts with a Ghanaian firm.
Hype.UP in December filed a criminal charge with the Ghana Police Service, alleging fraudulent breach of trust by current and former NTB officials, including the current acting chief executive officer, Charmaine Mattheus, former acting chief executive officer Bornventure Mbidzo, another former chief executive officer, Digu //Naobeb, board secretary Amanda Bruyns, board lawyer Johan Lombard, chairperson of the marketing committee Maggy Mbako and procurement manager Ursula Nguvauva.
NTB spokesperson, Flora Quest, in a media statement released on 8 January, said the company, upon receiving the complaint in June 2024, initiated a thorough investigation into the matter.
“The new board and management found no supporting documentation, contracts, or agreements to substantiate these payments. A subsequent meeting with Hype.UP Limited failed to clarify these discrepancies, leaving NTB with serious concerns that these payments may have been part of a fraudulent scheme,” said Quest.
She said the investigation revealed that the invoice in question (Invoice No: 00-3689-100) was issued five months prior to the formalisation of the agreements and the commencement of services.
According to Quest, the NTB also found that between May 2023 and April 2024, Hype.Up Limited had submitted invoices totalling US$672 292.47.
She added that NTB made payments totalling US$36 837.47 to Hype.Up between April and October 2023, but found no supporting documentation or contracts for these transactions.
“Agreements with Hype.Up Limited NTB’s records show three service agreements with Hype.Up Limited, all signed by the former CEO, Digu //Naobeb,” she said.
Quest said two agreements for fixed-term services from November 2023 to February 2024 were found identical in scope, covering the same services for the NTB Ghana Roadshow.
She said it has been confirmed that the roadshow did not take place as planned, and no NTB representatives attended the scheduled events in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana.
“As a result, no services were rendered under these agreements, leading to their termination due to the expiration of the contractual terms,” said Quest.
She added that the NTB entered into a third agreement with Hype.UP Limited on 6 September 2023, intended to run for one year, from June 2023 to December 2024.
“Despite diligent review, NTB has found no invoices or evidence of services rendered under this agreement during the agreed period. As stipulated in Clause 8.2 of the agreement, NTB terminated this contract to mitigate potential losses and avoid further involvement in agreements that appear to have been entered into with corrupt intent, similar to the KORA contract,” she said.
She vowed that the NTB remains committed to transparency and ethical business practices and will defend itself against any legal actions while addressing any unlawful activities linked to these agreements.
Hype.UP Ltd., in a statement issued on 20 January, denied NTB’s claims of fraudulent activity.
The CEO, Kingsford Isaac Dsane, is adamant that NTB owes his company US$51 123.92 under two contracts signed in September and October 2023.
He said his company fulfilled all contractual obligations, yet NTB has failed to pay the full amount for services rendered.
“NTB’s unsubstantiated claim of non-performance is a shameful fabrication designed to deceive the public and evade their financial responsibilities. Notably, NTB has failed to produce a single shred of evidence to support their spurious allegations,” he said.
Dsane added that his company consistently acted with transparency by providing all relevant documents and invoices to NTB officials, including the Namibia High Commission to Ghana.
“Despite our good-faith efforts to resolve these matters amicably, NTB officials have stonewalled our attempts at reconciliation and chosen to engage in a smear campaign against our company,” he said.
He demands that NTB honour their financial obligations and address the outstanding payments.
