Police investigate themselves over Namcor arrest

The police are investigating the process that led to the arrest of National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) board chairperson, Jennifer Comalie, after drugs were allegedly found in her car on Monday.

Details about an investigation into police procedures around the incident come at a time that minister of finance and public enterprises Iipumbu Shiimi requested police chief inspector general Joseph Shikongo to provide Comalie with security.

At the same time sources are claiming that Comalie confided in close associates, saying people who have identified themselves as security operatives have warned her “not to touch” a certain Namcor executive.

According to a source, they warned Comalie that they will “come after her”.

She was arrested in connection with drug dealing just before a meeting that was set to discuss possible action against managing director Immanuel Mulunga, who has been accused of making an unauthorised N$100 million payment to an Angolan partner.

Sources say Comalie was set to be involved in Mulunga’s suspension.

The board was also set to take action against Mulunga’s right-hand man, Cedric Willemse, who has been implicated in the use of N$69 million’s worth of oil stored by private partners at the national storage facility.

The arrest of Comalie, who was questioning the N$100 million transaction, has raised questions about the police’s credibility and timing.

A senior police officer yesterday told The Namibian the way in which the information of the alleged drugs in Comalie’s vehicle reached them was suspicious, and that they needed to take a closer look at this to rule out a set-up.

The police are considering whether to withdraw the case, the officer said.

They are currently trying to identify links between Comalie and the drugs.

In a letter written to Shikongo yesterday, Shiimi said Comalie has raised concerns over the safety of her daughter and herself during a meeting with himself [Shiimi] and minister of mines and energy Tom Alweendo.

“She told us that a close relative of hers informed her that she was informed by someone that some people are not happy with what she is doing at Namcor, and that these people will take unspecified actions against her,” the letter reads.

Shiimi and Alweendo advised Comalie to monitor the situation and inform them of any strange activities.

“Yesterday, on 27 March 2023, a peculiar thing happened. I understand that as she and her fellow board members were about to start a meeting with the minister of mines and energy. She was called by the police, who informed her that they needed to conduct a search of her vehicle,” he wrote to Shikongo.

Shiimi requested the police chief to consider conducting a security threat assessment.

National police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi confirmed receiving the letter from Shiimi, and said they will investigate the matter.

“The letter is well received and the Namibian Police will look into the matter as requested by the minister. The security of any individual is a concern to the Namibian Police,” she told the media yesterday.

Shikongo yesterday told The Namibian he has received the letter via sources and not officially.
He, however, told the national broadcaster (NBC) that he has received it.

IPC CALLS FOR NAMCOR PROBE

The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has called for an investigation into the transfer of N$100 million which the board said was not approved.

In a press statement issued yesterday, the party says it believes the investigation must be made public to restore the public’s trust in Namcor.

“Recent reports about the investigation into Namcor head Immanuel Mulunga’s involvement in the N$100 million payment for oil blocks in Angola, as well as the arrest of a Namcor board member for alleged drug dealing, have raised concerns about the transparency and accountability of the company’s leadership,” the statement reads.

The transaction under investigation relates to oil-producing blocks in Angola, involving Namcor and Angola’s state-owned oil company, Sonangol.

Last April, Namcor, Sequa Petroleum from Britain and Petrolog Group formed Sungara Energies.

“The IPC believes the investigation will lead to accountability for any wrongdoing, and the implementation of reforms to improve transparency and governance at Namcor,” the IPC stated.