Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) has denied claims that it funnelled more than N$1.2 billion to legal representation for the defendants charged in the Fishrot fishing quotas fraud and corruption case.

This follows allegations made by Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi, in a question to Finance Minister Iipumbi Shiimi in the National Assembly on Wednesday, whether it is true that N$1.2 billion was directed from an MTC account to pay for the legal representation of the accused in the fraud case.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, MTC chief human capital, marketing and corporate affairs officer Tim Ekandjo said that MTC vehemently refutes these charges as baseless and malicious, adding that MTC is profoundly startled and disappointed by the false and defamatory allegations.

He stated that MTC has been operating in Namibia for over 27 years and has always maintained the greatest standards of ethics and professionalism, and that this claim was completely false.

“We thus firstly wish to thank Honourable Swartbooi for posing the question in such a respectful manner because we encourage openness and transparency at MTC at all times, and wish to assure him that his source had nothing but malicious intentions towards our brand and as a listed entity our financials are audited and readily and publicly available for scrutiny.”

Ekandjo added that MTC is proud of its achievements in providing pioneering communication services to all Namibians and contributing to the country’s economic and social development.

- Nampa