Well-placed sources confirmed that Hangala was charged with ignoring company policy, which limits him to signing off on deals up to N$20 million.

He is also accused of attempting to push through the tender against the recommendations of the company's tender committee.

Neither Hangala nor the board of directors would comment on the matter.

Senior officials at the parastatal charge that Hangala ignored company procedures at the beginning of the year and has since tried to get the board of directors to rubberstamp his decision.

The NamPower MD is charged with overshooting his N$20 million signature limit.

Sources said Hangala lobbied against disciplinary measures by approaching the Minister of Mines and Energy, under which NamPower falls.

Sources close to the ruling party say the power utility's board of directors has negotiated with Hangala on the matter.

A NamPower director, Penda Kiiyala, who is also CEO of the Road Fund Administration, said through his assistant "this is an internal matter between the CEO and the board, and not for media consumption".

The tender of about N$60 million that landed Hangala in trouble involved a Tsumeb-based company called Powerline 2000 (Pty) Ltd for the laying of power lines.

Powerline 2000 is a regular contractor for NamPower work.

According to records at the registrar of companies, its directors are: Karl Richard Himmel, Grootfontein-based Swapo leader and politician Rapama Kamehozu, businessman Mwahafar Ndakolute Ndilula and Tshoombe Justice Ndadi, who runs a Swapo company, Aim Publications.

Powerline 2000 is in turn owned by Power Line Africa, Sovereign Investments, Mediva Investments, Konga Investments and Rap-Cam Investments - companies which all involve the directors of the firm that has received several contracts from NamPower.

The outcome of the hearing was expected this week.

* Tangeni Amupadhi is a freelance journalist

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