Roads Authority boss ignores legal warnings to axe senior managers over N$16m tender

The Roads Authority’s (RA)independent lawyer has cautioned the parastatal’s chief executive, Hippy Tjivikua, against dismissing two senior executives accused of corruption.

Willem van Greunen from the Köpplinger Boltman van Greunen law firm, the lawyer who initiated disciplinary proceedings against the two executives, has warned that this would result in a labour dispute because the disciplinary process had “serious errors”.

The warning relates to the dismissal of former transport executive officer Sidney Boois and divisional manager Richard Milinga, who were fired last month following the conclusion of an internal disciplinary hearing over a vehicle procurement tender valued at about N$16 million.

“If the findings and sanctions go on appeal or review, there is a strong likelihood that it would be set aside given the serious errors made by the tech chairperson in his findings.

If it is not set aside, the client risks a dispute referred to the Office of the Labour Commissioner, which would require a rehearing with all witnesses,” Van Greunen says in an email dated 3 February 2026, which The Namibian has seen.

He cautions that the findings by the disciplinary chairperson could be overturned on appeal because of alleged procedural errors.

“Kindly instruct whether we are to proceed with arguing for dismissal or agree to the employee’s proposed sanctions,” he adds.

In another email on 5 February, the RA, through Tjivikua, opts for dismissals.

“Kindly be informed that the CEO has advised that you should proceed to argue for dismissal,” the email reads.
Tjivikua has denied involvement in the disciplinary process or the dismissals.

In a media statement released last month he says the dismissals followed the completion of the disciplinary process.

INFLATED VEHICLE PRICES

The case stems from allegations that Boois and Milinga inflated prices for 17 vehicles intended for law enforcement and road safety operations.

The Namibian previously reported that one bakkie, priced at N$1.2 million, was significantly higher than its estimated showroom value of around N$800 000 at dealerships in Windhoek.

However, procurement documents dated 22 July 2022 addressed to former RA chief executive Conrad Lutombi indicate that the two officials had proposed buying the vehicles instead of renting them.

The proposal estimated that buying them would cost around N$16 million for 17 vehicles, while renting them would cost about N$1.2 million per year, or roughly N$5 million over four years for nine vehicles, after which they would be sent back.

The procurement documents seen by The Namibian show that the price of each vehicle included additional equipment and services beyond the base vehicle cost.

A Toyota Hilux 2.8 double cab would need features such as branding, tracking systems, administrative costs, bull bars, roof racks, rubberised load bins, water and fuel tanks, emergency kits, smash-and-grab protection, aluminium service canopies, LED lights, fire extinguishers, tow bars and electrical fittings.

Following media reports about the alleged price inflation, Lutombi halted the purchase process and instead opted to rent vehicles.

Boois and Milinga this week referred questions to their lawyer, Uno Katjipuka.

Katjipuka said the transport inspectorate had submitted a request to the procurement committee to acquire law-enforcement vehicles for the RA’s law-enforcement unit.

Although the overall goal was to acquire vehicles worth N$16 million, she said the submission clearly stated that only N$6 million was available at the time.

Katjipuka said the authority eventually acquired the vehicles through a leasing arrangement with Avis using an existing contract from 2000 at a cost of N$5 million for the first year.

She maintained that the RA did not suffer any financial losses.

Katjipuka said the disciplinary process had several irregularities and that her clients were unfairly dismissed.

RA spokesperson Hileni Fillemon this week said the matter remains part of an ongoing internal disciplinary process. She declined to answer questions.

“However, it is important to note that the process started in December 2023, prior to Tjivikua’s appointment as chief executive officer at the RA in December 2025,” she said.

“Tjivikua was not involved in any part of the disciplinary process, and any claims suggesting otherwise are incorrect.

We will provide further comments only after the appeal process has been completed.”

The two executives last month filed an appeal against them being found guilty.

They argue that the process was flawed and that the outcome should be set aside.

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