WALVIS BAY – The Anti-Corruption Commission wants the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology to consider pursuing the estate of its former executive, the late Eckhardt Mueller, to recover over N$1 million in funds belonging to the institution.
Mueller, who led NIMT for 29 years, was tragically gunned down in 2019, just two months after financial irregularities involving him were reported to the ACC. ACC Director General Paulus Noa said these irregularities centre around donor funds allegedly misappropriated while NIMT was struggling financially.
“There is compelling evidence that funds meant to support needy students and improve campus infrastructure were diverted from NIMT’s accounts,” Noa stated in a letter addressed to NIMT board chairperson Brumilde Britz last week.
A 27-page document presented to the ACC in 2019 details alleged misappropriations of over N$3 million in donations, including a N$2 million donation from Swiss-based BTrading GmbH, which was intended for scholarships and student support. Another notable case involved a N$1.2 million donation from De Beers in 2007, which reportedly never reached NIMT’s accounts.
“These funds were specifically intended to support NIMT’s educational mission, including plans for a campus in northern Namibia. It’s essential that the institution retrieves these assets and ensures they are used for their intended purpose,” Noa stated in the letter.
The ACC further alleged that Mueller Legal Practitioners, a firm owned by Mueller’s son, handled some of the institute’s legal matters without any competitive tendering process. The firm reportedly received a total of over N$1 million, including interest, while Mueller himself was the sole account signatory. The firm was reportedly already insolvent in 2019.
“In line with the ACC’s mandate to recover misappropriated funds, the board should consider a civil claim against Mueller’s estate and his son’s legal firm to recoup the outlined amount,” Noa advised.
The ACC also recommended that NIMT transfer specific properties—Erf No. 2713, 2714, and 2715 in Tsumeb—directly to NIMT’s ownership as part of asset restoration efforts. “This transfer is necessary to safeguard NIMT’s facilities and support its future operations,” noted Noa.
With Mueller’s death effectively halting the investigation into procedural and administrative misconduct, Noa reiterated the ACC’s focus on restoring NIMT’s financial stability, and ensuring campus development projects receive the necessary funding.
“This case is a reminder of the importance of accountability in managing donor funds. Any funds misappropriated from educational institutions must be reclaimed, and redirected to support the intended campus and student initiatives,” he said.
Questions sent to Britz regarding the matter have not yet been answered.