ACTIVIST Job Amupanda has asked the Anti-Corruption Commission to provide him with documents gathered during investigations in matters involving former attorney general, Sacky Shanghala.
last week reported that Shanghala is suing Amupanda for N$500 000 over accusations of corruption the latter allegedly made on the Facebook and Twitter social media platforms.
Amupanda referred to Shanghala in one of his posts as “an epitome and symbol of corruption in Namibia”.
In a letter to ACC director Paulus Noa dated 16 February, Amupanda, through his lawyer Kadhila Amoomo, requested the commission to provide them with documentation from corruption-related investigations involving Shanghala.
According to the letter, he also wants Noa to provide a witness statement, and testify in court should the legal challenge go to trial.
Noa said although he heard people talking about a letter addressed to him making the rounds on social media, he has not received it yet.
“I am still waiting, maybe it is still coming. I operate from the office, not social media,” Noa told yesterday.
On whether they will furnish Amupanda’s legal team with the requested documents, Noa said he could not discuss that openly as the “information is not for media consumption”.
He added that certain legal principles need to be considered when they face such a request.
Amupanda gave the commission seven days to respond to his request.
“Kindly provide us with all documentation gathered during investigations about the instruction and payment of lawyers regarding the Herero genocide matter which may be in your possession,” the letter reads.
Another request in the letter is that Noa provides Amupanda’s legal team with any decisions the director may have made in respect of genocide investigations.
Apart from the request for documentation in the genocide matter, Amupanda also asked for files on the investigation of several other matters such as the aborted Kora awards from 2017, and investigations of a Namcor agreement with a company called Namibia Liquid Fuel.
The commission in 2016 wrote to environment minister Pohamba Shifeta, seeking clarity on the N$24 million paid to Benin-born businessman Ernest Adjovi to host the Kora All Africa Music Awards that year. The ACC in 2006 launched an investigation into complaints about irregularities in the awarding of a state tender by Namcor to Namibia Liquid Fuel. The letter also asked for any 2017 investigation details regarding a deal for the upgrading of the Ondangwa Airport.
The Namibian last year reported that Shanghala, in his capacity as attorney general at the time, advised former works minister Alfeus !Naruseb to use his authority as minister to compel the Namibia Airports Company to enter a contract with China State Construction Engineering Corporation for the upgrade.
Other reports which Amupanda wants, if available, include one on another deal involving parastatal TransNamib and private company D&M Rail Construction, Reports by newspaper stated that government had entered a N$200 million-a-year deal with D&M Rail for the rehabilitation of the Kransberg-Tsumeb railway line in the north. D&M Rail is reportedly owned by Shanghala’s friend and business partner, James Hatuikulipi. Amupanda also wants investigation documents into allegations that state-owned company Namib Desert Diamonds deliberately cheaply sold diamonds to Dubai-based firms.
Noa in 2017 asked former mines minister Obeth Kandjoze to explain allegations of the diamonds being sold cheaply. The legal team further asked for an investigation on a possible discussion between prosecutor general Martha Himalwa’s office, the ACC and the attorney general’s office on the questions regarding defence minister Penda ya Ndakolo’s hotel bill.
Ya Ndakolo came under fire in 2015 when the defence ministry reportedly incurred a bill close of to N$1 million in six months for his stay in a Windhoek hotel. Amupanda furthermore wants details on an investigation into the alleged settlement between Expediate Aviation Close Corporation and the Tsumeb municipality.
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