N$5-m Given to Company before Work Even Commenced By Chrispin Inambao and Petronella Sibeene WINDHOEK The hushed resignation of a senior official at the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication and his departure ostensibly to join his wife in South Africa, and the millions found in one of his accounts, have set tongues wagging. His wife works in South Africa. A few years ago, the government appointed a committee chaired by Alpheus Muheua to investigate an elaborate, self-enrichment scheme in which several high-ranking Works, Transport and Communication officials, among them the officer in question, were implicated. But the probe, despite finding N$28 million stashed into one of his several bank accounts, appears to have mothballed, although the case was referred to the office of the Prosecutor-General Martha Imalwa, for a decision on whether to prosecute the seemingly politically well-connected former government administrator. “It seems the whole thing (the investigation) has fallen flat,” said a senior government source that requested anonymity. A company contracted to improve the aesthetic appearance of a piece of land by changing its contours, adding ornamental features and planting trees, known as landscaping, was given a cheque for N$5 million by the official before it did any work. Presently, the same entity has constantly demanded more money from the project, this despite having done nothing in a deal that was entirely negotiated by the official who seemed to have acted carte blanche regarding the administration of this sensitive project. When the ministry got wind of the N$5 million, the official reportedly failed to give a satisfactory explanation on how he arrived at the figure of N$5 million and how this particular company secured the multi-million-dollar construction tender. Another source, who also requested anonymity, saying the whole issue could implicate a prominent politician, confirmed the ministry was aware of the shoddy dealings but has been very reluctant to act though it might have prodded the official to resign. Efforts to get comment from the former official yesterday were in vain, because those contacted in both Namibia and South Africa said they did not have the couple’s home number. Muheua declined to comment on the matter citing procedural matters. One senior government official said at one stage during the protracted investigations, the suspect “threatened if they exposed him he would be left with no choice but to reveal the names of the senior officials that he has been working with”. A senior government source said the wheeling and dealing official, who was involved in various sensitive capital projects, including the new State House involving hundreds of millions of dollars, has already been communicated to the Minister of Works, Transport and Communication Joel Kaapanda, who when contacted for comment said the issue was administrative in nature. He referred New Era to his Permanent Secretary, Shihaleni Ndjaba, who confirmed the resignation. Ndjaba said, “I am not aware of that … of money found in his account unless more information is given to the ministry.” Apart from the issue being brought to the attention of the prosecutor-general’s office that has acknowledged receipt, the explosive document was also copied to State House. “The official reason given for his resignation is apparently to join his wife, but I think things started getting hot, that is why he resigned,” said a source close to the investigation. Muheua’s committee was primarily mandated to investigate a self-enrichment scam in which several senior people at the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication stood accused of pocketing hefty bribes, particularly in the tender process for government capital projects such as the renovation and construction of schools, houses and roads. Apart from the hefty kickbacks, those implicated were investigated for inflating tenders for government projects that average N$100 million each year, though these sums vary. Efforts to get the prosecutor-general’s comment on how far her office has gone with analyzing the report proved fruitless as Imalwa was out of the country. But Deputy Prosecutor-General Danie Small said, “I know about the investigation and it ends there.” One clerk at the prosecutor-general’s office said the report was received and the prosecutor-general was still analyzing the voluminous dossier. Sources also said the cases that were handed over to the prosecutor-general’s office would soon be forwarded to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to accelerate the process and ensure that those linked to any form of irregularities are punished.