The board of trustees of the Indira Gandhi Health Centre has filed a criminal complaint against John Nauta, the long-time personal assistant to former president Sam Nujoma, and businessman Tjeripo Hijarunguru.
Indira Gandhi Clinic, situated at Onemanya village in the Omusati region, was established by Nujoma in the 1990s to provide free maternity health to women in the region.
Two months ago, Nujoma-era executive director in the presidency, Ndeutala Angolo, blamed Nauta, among others, for allegedly transferring N$100-million worth of shares owned by the clinic to another company without their consent.
Angolo confirmed to The Namibian over the weekend that the board of trustees of the Indira Gandhi Health Centre opened a case of fraud, forgery and uttering against Nauta and Hijarunguru. The case was opened on 11 June this year.
“We have opened a case of fraud, forgery and uttering with the police. The case number is 256/06/2025. It’s not my personal decision, it’s a decision made by the board. I am just the chairperson,” Angolo said.
She added that the case was opened at the Windhoek Police Station, and that the board of trustees never authorised the transfer of the clinic’s shares.
“We never, ever signed anything to surrender those shares. Yes, those are our signatures, but they must explain where they got them from. Are they suggesting that all of us on the board don’t know whether we signed a share transfer? We are not children, we are mature, responsible adults. Our signatures have been used to commit fraudulent activities,” she said.
Hijarunguru told The Namibian yesterday that Angolo was wasting public resources, adding that the documents Angolo and other board members signed are legit.
“How can you open a case with the police? What stupid police will even take up this case and say you have a case? You are actually reporting yourself. What system do we have in this country that anyone can go to the police making a fool of himself and making a fool of the police?” he said.
In his letter to the police dated 22 June, Hijarunguru wrote: “With regards to your request for information on the sales of 20% Epia Investments Holding (Pty) Ltd by Indira Gandhi Health Trust Fund to Tuapandula Investments (Pty) Ltd in 2012, we attach self-explanatory documents: Commissioner of oath certified copy of a resolution by Indira Gandhi Health Trust Fund, police certified copy of the share transfer form signed by Kalumbi Shangula on behalf of Indira Gandhi Health Trust Fund, and a copy of a resolution signed by the Epia Investments Holdings (Pty) Ltd board of directors.”
Nauta yesterday referred The Namibian to his lawyer and Hijarunguru.
“Please send your questions to my lawyer and chief executive and chairperson of Epia, Mr Tjeripo,” he said.
Nauta threatened to sue The Namibian in June this year for defamation after it published an article on the dispute between him and Angolo. He told Confidente newspaper last week that he has instructed his lawyers to proceed with the lawsuit.
SHARES TRANSACTION
The Indira Gandhi Clinic was one of four entities that owned a stake in Epia Investment Holdings, a black economic empowerment company established in 2001.
The clinic held a 20% shareholding in Epia, which in turn owned a stake in Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL).
However, the clinic’s 20% shares in Epia were transferred to Tuapandula Investments in 2012, allegedly without paying for it.
Tuapandula is represented by Nauta, Epia Holdings executive director Hijarunguru and late businessman Aaron Mushimba. Mushimba was Nujoma’s brother-in law.
Hijarunguru told The Namibian in June that Epia sold its shares back to NBL for N$905 million
Hijarunguru further said other beneficiaries of the sales were traditional chiefs in their individual capacities.
“Some buried their money in cattle kraals for safe keeping by the ancestors,” Hijarunguru said.
He also insisted that the board members of trustees signed for the shares transfer in 2012.
Hijarunguru said Angolo and other trustees such as former health minister Kalumbi Shangula, late medical doctor Naftal Hamata and northern businessman John Kambwela signed for the transfer of shares.
Shangula has declined to comment on the matter, saying he is no longer a part of the board of trustees.
BANKRUPT
Hijarunguru accused the board of trustees of not performing.
According to him, Hamata surrendered the shares to Tuapandula.
“They were called in. At the time they did not even have a bank account for the trust and when the clinic was bankrupt and had to be handed over to the government, they did not say why they were not performing. The founding president was disappointed in them,” Hijarunguru said.
He said the clinic did not receive any funds from Epia Investment until 2012 as it did not have money.
Nujoma started the clinic in the late 1990s to provide free maternity healthcare to women in the region.
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
