WALVIS BAY – The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia has suspended Ellis Egumbo, terminal manager at their Walvis Bay depot, over the loss of product and commercial documentation at the facility.

This suspension follows the resignation of another employee a month ago, amid an ongoing investigation of fuel theft. 

So far, four people have been arrested for alleged fuel theft and have made several court appearances in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court.

However, Namcor spokesperson Utaara Hoveka told New Era yesterday that it would be premature to link Egumbo’s suspension to the ongoing fuel theft investigation. 

“We cannot pronounce ourselves until we have conducted a proper investigation. Only the outcome of the investigation will guide us. At this stage, we want to follow proper procedures and first finalise the investigation,” he said.

According to Hoveka, the suspension aims to facilitate a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter. Namcor reiterates its steadfast commitment to upholding the highest standards of commercial transparency and ethics in all its interactions with stakeholders, he said.

Namcor allegedly lost millions of dollars after 69 trucks dispatched from Namcor reportedly failed to deliver their cargo to customers. Earlier investigations indicated that in January, Simeon Shilongo, a 38-year-old driver employed by Sky-Way Company and contracted by Namcor to deliver fuel, allegedly stole 79 884 litres of diesel worth N$1 million. Shilongo allegedly diverted two diesel tank containers, loaded at Namcor’s National Oil Storage facility in Walvis Bay and destined for Husab Mine. The fuel was never recovered.

Following an internal investigation, Namcor reported the theft to the Namibian Police. The corporation also revealed that 39 993 litres of diesel went missing in December 2023, and another 39 89 litres went missing thereafter. As a result, three people, Graham Platt (46), Jason Malima (26), and Denzel Mulunga (21), were also arrested.