Runji says wrong impression was created by some media

ROADS Authority CEO Justin Runji lamented that his ownership of four houses in Namibia, two in South Africa and another property in his native Kenya created the impression that they were bought with ill-begotten wealth.

Runji was at pains last week to explain that none of his private property was obtained secretly or at the expense of the Roads Authority. “No cent” came from the parastatal when he acquired the property, and that it was financed through “loans from the banks”, he said, repeating earlier testimony when he was asked if he had investments.”The fact of the matter is that this is done completely aboveboard.This is purely personal investment,” he said.Runji said the “impression” created by media reports had dented his image, though no suggestion had been made that he had fraudulently obtained the houses.”No cent” came from the parastatal when he acquired the property, and that it was financed through “loans from the banks”, he said, repeating earlier testimony when he was asked if he had investments. “The fact of the matter is that this is done completely aboveboard. This is purely personal investment,” he said. Runji said the “impression” created by media reports had dented his image, though no suggestion had been made that he had fraudulently obtained the houses.