Iuze Mukube
A charge sheet by the State yesterday lifted the lid on the potential crimes committed by individuals implicated in the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) corruption scandle running into millions of dollars.
The eight accused were formally charged for corruptly accepting gratification, corruptly accepting gratification by an agent (as an inducement) and corruptly using office or position for gratification.
Additional charges are contravening section 45(1)(b) of the Anti-Corruption Act; attempts and conspiracies; racketeering and disguising the unlawful origin of property.
They are further charged for assisting another to benefit from the proceeds of unlawful activities; acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of unlawful activities, corruptly accepting gratification; and corruptly using a false document by an agent.
The accused are believed to have syphoned millions from the State-owned enterprise through a string of dubious transactions involving fraud, racketeering, money laundering and tax evasion.
Among the accused is Immanuel Mulunga, former head of Namcor.
He was arrested after a renewed investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into multiple alleged questionable transactions during his tenure at the national oil company.
Mulunga, who exited Namcor under a cloud, previously made headlines in 2023 when he allegedly authorised the payment of US$6.7 million (over N$180 million) for an Angolan oil block acquisition without prior board approval.
The board had only sanctioned US$10 million, but a total of US$16.7 million was transferred to Sungara Energies Limited, a United Kingdom-based company with ties to Namcor. At the time, the board severed ties with Mulunga, citing gross misconduct and a breach of governance protocols.
Accompanying him at court were former Namcor executives Cornelius Petrus Willemse and Jennifer Ndapwohon Hamukwaya, Olivia Grace Dunaiski, Peter Hango Elindi, Malakia Natangwe Elindi, Lydia Ilenikuye Elindi and Panduleni Ndiba Hamukwaya.
On this backdrop, five entities affiliated with these alleged corrupt activities include Enercon Namibia, Onyeka Clearing and Forwarding, Nyambali Medical Centre, Panduleni Framing and Parkwood Petroleum Logistics.
The ACC has stated that at least five more arrests are expected. Those to be apprehended are related to the accused.
These companies face racketeering, money laundering and conspiring to commit corrupt acts. They were allegedly used to launder or conceal illicit proceeds.
The State, represented by prosecutor Menecia Hinda, objected to bail on the grounds of the risk that the accused will interfere with ongoing police investigations or abscond.
The Elindi brothers are central figures in Namcor’s highly controversial deal with military contractor Enercon.
This is the same firm where they served as shareholders. In 2022, they received N$53 million from Namcor for a fuel supply contract and a related infrastructure business deal. The transaction, which would have allowed the national oil parastatal to take over the fuel supply contract and related infrastructure business with the Namibian Defence Force through Enercon, never materialised. Enercon’s agreement with Namcor was cancelled due to military objections, but the company failed to repay the N$53 million immediately.
This money, sources say, has since vanished into thin air – without a trace.
It is alleged that the accused shared the spoils. The funds, it has now emerged, was traced to personal accounts of the accused.
While at the helm of Namcor in 2022, Mulunga is alleged to have ignored internal company policies to give Enercon special treatment through credit line extensions.
In December 2023, Namcor sued Mulunga, the Elindi brothers and a retired August 26 Holdings senior executive in their personal capacities for the N$53 million losses. It is reported that Enercon has to date not settled fuel supplies worth over N$100 million to Namcor. The company reportedly owes Namcor N$114.6 million for unsettled fuel supplies.
Enercon currently faces liquidation, it was reported. Hinda requested the matter be postponed to 28 August 2025 for further investigations.
Francois Bangamwabo represented Mulunga and the Hamukwayas.
Milton Engelbrecht represented Willemse, and Sisa Namandje represented the Elindi brothers and Lydia Elindi.
Meanwhile, Gilroy Kasper represents Dunaiski. Bangamwabo agreed to the postponement from the State to put its house in order. He, however, requested the State to agree to consider bail for some of the accused, especially the Hamukwayas.
He argued that the Hamukwayas, being married, the State should allow either one of them to be released on bail, as they have minor children.
Furthermore, Engelbrecht objected to keeping his client in custody.
He said his client will not interfere with ongoing police investigations, especially since he was arrested after two years of investigation. The matter was postponed to Monday for formal bail application.
Photo: Heather Erdmann