Hertta-Maria AmutenjaÂ
TransNamib has refuted allegations of corruption in its N$1.7 billion locomotive procurement deal, stating that the process is being handled transparently under the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) and that no funds will be received directly by the company.
The company’s response follows claims by Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda, who has called for the cancellation of the deal, arguing that it lacks transparency and is being rushed before the new administration takes office in March 2025.
Amupanda also accused TransNamib chief executive officer (CEO) Desmond van Jaarsveld of facilitating a last-minute corrupt deal for personal and political gain.
Van Jaarsveld said the funding from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) will be allocated according to its five-year Integrated Strategic Business Plan.
“The funds will be used for rolling stock replacement and infrastructure upgrades aimed at ensuring long-term financial sustainability. TransNamib will not receive the funding directly. Disbursements related to the funding will be made directly to suppliers,” said van Jaarsveld.
The procurement process is being managed by CPBN, with oversight from the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises and lending institutions.
TransNamib dismissed these allegations as “unfounded and malicious,” stating that the procurement process was initiated in 2022 and is following all necessary legal steps.
“TransNamib itself is not the procuring agency. CPBN, which has reviewed and approved all procurement, is the official body managing this process,” Van Jaarsveld said.
He reiterated that all procurement items above their threshold are handled by CPBN under the Public Procurement Act.
“For procurement related to the remanufacturing of outdated locomotives and purchasing of waggons and tankers, CPBN will conduct open international bidding to ensure all qualified suppliers can participate,” Van Jaarsveld said.
