Ghost graves haunt City

THE City of Windhoek has launched an investigation after a company digging graves at its five cemeteries was overpaid by around N$1,5 million through alleged fraudulent claims.

The claims are alleged to be for graves that were not dug. The Namibian has established that the company is alleged to have claimed money for graves as far back as 2001.Four caretakers at the cemeteries have been charged with negligence and will face disciplinary hearings on December 4 and 8.However, the company, Oshatotwa 2000, has not been charged; neither were the senior officials at the City of Windhoek who processed and paid out the claims.However, the City has cancelled the company’s contract.The Namibian was unable to trace the owners of the company for comment.Sources said the caretakers only deal with members of the public when they request graves.”Payments are done somewhere else.The people who made payments should have known the size of the graveyards and that only a certain number can be dug.How can a company claim repeatedly for the same grave and the managers cannot notice it? There is something fishy there,” said one source.The Namibian established that the scam was discovered during an internal audit.By then, the City is alleged to have lost around N$1,5 million.Liz Sibindi, spokesperson of the City, confirmed the investigation and that a hearing was scheduled.”Further details and clarity can only be provided at completion of the hearing,” she told The Namibian.Sources were concerned that, because of the scam, graves had been allocated to new owners – meaning that relatives might find that the grave of their family member was also assigned to someone else.”The scam also brings to mind a question whether the City has proper records of the graves,” remarked another source.The City normally gives clients only a number, which they have to use to identify the graves.The Namibian has established that the company is alleged to have claimed money for graves as far back as 2001.Four caretakers at the cemeteries have been charged with negligence and will face disciplinary hearings on December 4 and 8.However, the company, Oshatotwa 2000, has not been charged; neither were the senior officials at the City of Windhoek who processed and paid out the claims.However, the City has cancelled the company’s contract.The Namibian was unable to trace the owners of the company for comment.Sources said the caretakers only deal with members of the public when they request graves.”Payments are done somewhere else.The people who made payments should have known the size of the graveyards and that only a certain number can be dug.How can a company claim repeatedly for the same grave and the managers cannot notice it? There is something fishy there,” said one source.The Namibian established that the scam was discovered during an internal audit.By then, the City is alleged to have lost around N$1,5 million. Liz Sibindi, spokesperson of the City, confirmed the investigation and that a hearing was scheduled.”Further details and clarity can only be provided at completion of the hearing,” she told The Namibian.Sources were concerned that, because of the scam, graves had been allocated to new owners – meaning that relatives might find that the grave of their family member was also assigned to someone else.”The scam also brings to mind a question whether the City has proper records of the graves,” remarked another source.The City normally gives clients only a number, which they have to use to identify the graves.