By Toivo Ndjebela
WINDHOEK – The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has found nothing unlawful in National Housing Enterprise (NHE) CEO Vinson Hailulu’s purchase of a luxury GL500 Mercedes Benz, worth about N$1,5 million.
Hailulu bought the German car towards the end of last year, after which a whistle-blower approached the ACC with claims that the vehicle was acquired through corrupt means.
It was alleged some companies that acquired tenders to construct houses through the mass housing programme, for which the NHE is the executing agency, might have financed the vehicle’s purchase in return for housing tenders.
The ACC tasked its most senior investigator – Nelius Becker – to roll out a probe, which included approaching M+Z Motors, the dealership from which Hailulu bought the top-end vehicle.
New Era understands that upon hearing about the investigation against him, Hailulu, through his lawyer Sisa Namandje, asked the ACC to confirm whether it was secretly investigating him.
Hailulu learnt about the ACC probe after Becker had visited M+Z Motors to conduct investigations.
A letter by Namandje to the ACC, dated 27 January, 2014, reads: “Our client was shocked to be informed by certain representatives of M+Z Motors that the Anti-Corruption Commission – and in particular Mr Becker – has informed them that there is an investigation by your Commission against our client in respect of that vehicle.”
Namandje said his client bought the vehicle in his private capacity.
ACC Director, Paulus Noa, on 28 January responded to Namandje’s letter – confirming that his office received a report from a whistle-blower in November 2013, alleging that Hailulu’s vehicle was acquired as a result of corrupt activities.
“In order to determine the credibility and substance of the allegations, the Commission decided to rather first conduct a preliminary enquiry with regard to the allegations, including allegations relating to the purchase of the GL500 Mercedes Benz of Mr Hailulu,” Noa said.
Noa said this was necessary in order to determine whether the information from the whistle-blower was reliable or not.
“Mr Becker was tasked to verify the allegations. It is correct that he contacted M+Z Motors to make an inquiry with regard to the purchase of Mr Hailulu’s GL500 Mercedes Benz,” he said.
“The preliminary enquiry could not confirm the allegations by the whistle-blower, hence Mr Hailulu was not approached to explain the allegations.”
Noa said the ACC is obliged by law to investigate reports delivered to it by whistle-blowers.
“It is sufficient to inform you that the enquiry thus far could not establish anything unlawful related to the purchase of Mr Hailulu’s GL500 Mercedes Benz as alleged in the report.”
Noa did not indicate if there would be further investigations into the matter.
Approached for comment yesterday, Hailulu said the ACC has the responsibility to probe matters delivered to it and he therefore harboured no hard feelings towards the Commission.
“The ACC did what they had to do. I am only happy that they established the truth about how I purchased my car.”
Hailulu revealed he acquired a vehicle loan from Bank Windhoek to buy his car, and added that a monthly instalment of N$23 000 is deducted from his salary every month by the bank.
The NHE boss alleges there is a syndicate against him – driven by some people who lost out on acquiring mass housing tenders.
“All CEOs in this country are driving cars in the same range as mine. Why is it only an issue when it’s Hailulu that is driving a GL500. What type of car must I drive to avoid investigations and rumours?” Hailulu, a former Windhoek Municipality CEO, asked.
“I will continue with the transformation of the NHE, I won’t succumb to the cowardice agenda of a few sour grapes out there,” said Hailulu.
Meanwhile, the ACC has also closed a file of its investigation into the alleged sale of land belonging to NHE board chairperson, Jason Nandago, to the NHE. The said land is in Walvis Bay.
“Statements under oath and relevant documents were obtained, however the Commission could not find evidence substantiating the allegations,” the ACC said.