Otjozondjupa governor accuses Cenored of corruption, nepotism and tribalism in hiring practices

Otjozondjupa governor John //Khamuseb has accused the Central Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Cenored) of corruption, nepotism, tribalism, and favouritism in its hiring practices.

In a letter dated 3 November 2025, //Khamuseb summoned all town mayors and chief executives in the Cenored operational area, Namibia Power Corporation, the Electricity Control Board, and the Otjozondjupa Regional Council to a high-level meeting set for 18 November at Otjiwarongo.

“Reports indicate that individuals who are not from Cenored operational areas are being appointed at the expense of equally qualified or more qualified residents of Otjozondjupa. Such actions undermine regional empowerment, erode trust and violate the principles of equity and fairness that guide public serving institutions,” //Khamuseb wrote.

He said tribalism and discrimination have no place in Namibian society, and if proven that they have “reeled their heads at Cenored, they must be treated as criminals”.

“We have a collective responsibility to protect our people from unscrupulous and dishonest practices,” he wrote.

The letter followed an earlier letter, dated 13 August and addressed to Cenored board chairperson Kandali Iyambo, in which //Khamuseb accused the current management of prioritising outsiders for jobs at the expense of residents from the Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, and Kunene north regions.

“My office was approached by disgruntled potential candidates who were excluded from the interviews, some of them worked for Cenored as contractors for more than three years and more,” he said.

He said the board should investigate the allegations and ensure fair employment practices.

“The board, as the custodian of Cenored, must look into the issue of people being employed outside the Cenored area of jurisdiction,” the governor said.

He said he had met Cenored’s chief executive, Fessor Mbango, and advised him to suspend recruitment until the allegations were investigated.

“I wrote him a letter to reply without any delay, but he opted not to act; thus, I have decided to write to the board for perusal and action,” the governor said.

Contacted for comment on Monday, //Khamuseb said he did not want to discuss the issue in the media as he did not have evidence yet.

“Let’s first deal with the relevant authorities to find out if what other people are complaining about is true,” he said.

Cenored spokesperson Charlie Matengu yesterday dismissed the governor’s claims, saying Cenored is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate based on tribe or region.

“We advertise all vacancies in the public domain through newspapers, and we look for qualified Namibians regardless of their tribal or religious backgrounds,” he said.

Matengu said Cenored’s workforce is made up of employees from different tribes across Namibia, and that the company prioritises competence and qualifications.

He also dismissed suggestions that the company ignored the governor’s correspondence.

“The governor is our leader. There is no way we will ignore him. Cenored responded to his letter, and the response was personally delivered to his office by one of our executives,” Matengu said.

He insisted that the company has “nothing to hide” and is open to any investigation.

“If employing people from other regions is the composite identities of corruption, I can say we are corrupt because we are giving opportunity to all Namibians, and if those are the composite identities of corruption, then everybody is corrupt.

“And if that does not form the basis of corruption, I think the letters you have seen are very clear, they are promoting regionalism,” he said.

Cenored operates in parts of the Otjozondjupa, Oshikoto, Omaheke and Kunene regions.

Nampa last week reported that president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah rejected calls for regional job preferences, stating that employment opportunities should be based on merit rather than geographical origin.

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