• By Elvis Muraranganda

THE City of Windhoek is yet to release findings into at least four forensic audits and investigations in allegations of fraud, corruption, collusion, financial sabotage, favouritism, nepotism and unlawful suspensions among others.  Confidente has learned that all the investigations in the four matters are completed and the final reports have been handed over to the office of the City of Windhoek’s chief executive officer Moses Matyayi, for further action. The investigations are said to have discovered gross negligence, misconduct and irregularities in all four matters and recommended disciplinary actions against the culprits and reversal of some decisions that were found not to be above board. Anti-Corruption Commission’s Director Paulus Noah confirmed that the anti-graft body has been investigating City officials over a string of allegations pertaining to their conduct, of which they recommended disciplinary and other actions for the municipality to implement. On other cases, Noah told Confidente, the ACC handed over dockets to the office of the Prosecutor General (PG), for a decision on whether to institute criminal icials found guilty of misconduct or not. 

One audit was commissioned following the damning revelations of gross irregularities with the City’s billing system, which is said to be clandestinely overcharging some residents for monthly utilities, while some high-value municipal accounts have allegedly been erased from the system entirely, sparking fears of “disappearing debt” for a privileged few. This caused uproar among Windhoek’s vulnerable residents, who many times had to have their water and electricity disconnected due to high monthly bills, wrongly captured by the defective billing system. Confidente has it on record that City officials have been aware of these billing anomalies since 2023 and that the forensic audit completed late last year, uncovered critical failures and potential manipulation within the system. Another internal probe investigated how senior City officials received kickbacks from the Chinese telecom giant Huawei, for a deal which would contract the company to install 5G connection facilities. These include Fillemon Neputa, Lizette Vries, Ben Ngairorue, Kenneth Neumbo and Samuel Mutonga.

QUESTIONABLE APPOINTMENT

Similarly, the City launched an investigation into the alleged dubious appointment of Neputa as the Strategic Executive of Information Communication Technology, while he faced disciplinary charges in the 5G procurement scandal. The audit is said to have been conducted by Deloitte & Touche.  At the time, Neputa was acting in that position since 2021 and concerns were raised as to how he was promoted to the senior position. Some within the municipality are claiming that his charges vanished with technicalities sighted, to pave way for his elevation.  Lastly, in 2023 another forensic audit was launched into the relationship between Red Force Debt Management Company and the City, which resulted in a two-year contract expected to expire on 25 August.  Noah explained that on the Red Force Debt Management matter, which has been handed over the PG, the ACC did not investigate the concerns raised by the public as to why the company was awarded the contract.  “I have been saying this. We only investigated whether procedures were followed in the awarding of the contract. We did not go after a specific company, we looked at the procedures,” said Noah. “We completed our investigations and we have given our findings to the authorities (PG) to decide on whether officials are going to be charged and prosecuted or any other actions will be taken.”   

CITY CONFIRMS

Harold Akwenye, the Spokesperson of the City confirmed the commissioning of independent audits and forensic investigations into these four matters and other critical issues.  “We acknowledge the importance of public interest in these matters and wish to assure you that all investigations were initiated with the intent to uphold principles of good governance, accountability, and transparency,” said Akwenye.  “At present, some of the investigations have been concluded, with reports submitted to the Office of the Chief Executive Officer. These reports are now subject to formal internal review processes, which include administrative and legal considerations before any further action is taken.” Akwenye, further confirmed that the findings point to misconduct or irregularities and appropriate corrective measures, including internal and/or external disciplinary processes will be considered in accordance with applicable policies and legislation. “Furthermore, the City remains committed to implementing systemic remedies aimed at addressing weaknesses and preventing recurrence of such irregularities in the future. “We appreciate your understanding as we continue to follow due process and reiterate our commitment to transparent and responsible governance. Once these processes have been fully concluded, the City will communicate the outcomes with the public in an appropriate and timely manner.

DRAGGING FEET

Meanwhile, Social Justice Activist Shaun Gariseb is of the opinion that it is expected that the City would drag their feet in implementing the findings of the audits.  “[They want to] see to what extent they can manipulate the reports. The City’s lethargic approach to audit reports especially the defective billing system is a very serious matter that affects rate payers adversely,” noted Gariseb.   “We are approaching the minister (urban and rural development) in the coming week to intervene in this matter and the criminal matter we have registered with the Namibian Police.”  Gariseb added that the defective billing system has wrongly escalated the bills of account holders and causing them to be handed over to Redforce Debt Management. “We like how the minister is hands-on at other local authorities. A 10 page document is waiting for him with regards to city of Windhoek.”

Said Gariseb: “Audits are supposed to have time lines. When we asked for a time frame they did not want to give us any. We also asked for the audit to be completely independent but they handpicked and [they] are very protective of the audits.”