SSC manager alleges CEO Milka Mungunda interfered in national pension and medical benefit fund procurement

A senior Social Security Commission (SSC) manager has accused chief executive Milka Mungunda of interfering in procurement processes linked to the planned national pension and medical benefit funds.

The complaint was submitted on 13 March by the commission’s general manager for business development, Nambata Angula, who asked the internal audit unit to investigate how Mungunda was involved in the National Pension Fund (NPF) and National Medical Benefit Fund (NMBF).

The government has been pushing for both the NPF and NMBF to move under the SCC to improve the management of employment benefits.

Angula, in her letter, says her boss should be investigated.

“The purpose of this submission is to formally request the internal audit function to investigate potential breaches of established procurement processes and governance procedures involving the executive officer.”

She says the SCC should determine whether procurement processes and governance procedures were followed.

“[Whether] there was any undue influence on internal procurement processes, PMU or committees,” Angula says.

According to her, the probe should determine if the changes made by Mungunda on procurement documents were consistent with the provisions of the national procurement law and SSC policies.

“Should any irregularities be identified, it is requested that the findings be reported to the board of commissioners for appropriate consideration and action,” she says.

Angula reminded the SSC that Mungunda’s contract ends on 30 June.

“The matters raised above may pose governance and operational risks to the organisation if not properly addressed. The organisation needs internal and external assurance on the process for the sake of the institution’s reputation and potential bidders,” Angula says.

Mungunda declined to comment when approached for comment yesterday.

“I appreciate your message. However, let me reserve my comments at this stage,” she said.

BACKGROUND

Online news website Namibia Business Review reported in February about an internal memo dated 26 January, circulated to SSC staff by Mungunda.

“High-level stakeholder engagement and consultations are at an advanced stage following a Cabinet directive to SSC to assess the readiness and capability to take over the claims and management function of Psemas,” Mungunda had said.

The Public Service Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas) covers about 120 000 public servants and their dependants.

According to the news report, apart from Psemas, president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has also directed SSC to implement the NMBF, which is a public healthcare fund that helps cover medical expenses for workers and their families, making healthcare more accessible and affordable. It aims to extend coverage to low-income earners such as taxi drivers and vendors.

THE PROCESS

Angula’s letter highlighted concerns around the appointment of consultants to oversee the roll out of the two funds.

“The issues raised relate primarily to the procurement processes associated with the implementation of the NPF and the NMBF,” the document reads.

The NPF is required under the Social Security Act of 1994.

The law mandates the commission to establish the fund to provide pension and other benefits to its employees who are members. However, the fund has not yet been operationalised.

Angula’s submission states that the government previously instructed the commission to move forward with the plan.

“On 16 May 2024, the then Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation formally instructed the SSC to proceed with the implementation of the NPF,” the document says.

Angula said her department had already started preparing to appoint consultants to assist with the project. “The business development department has been actively working on the operationalisation of the NPF and has progressed to the stage of preparing for the appointment of a team of consultants to assist with the implementation of the fund,” the document states.

The department also began work on the medical benefit fund, following a directive from the government.

“SSC received a letter from Wise Immanuel, minister of justice and labour relations, dated 12 December 2025, instructing the commission, through a Cabinet directive, to operationalise the NMBF without delay,” the submission says.

The directive also required the commission to assess whether it could take over the administration of Psemas.

Angula says concerns about the procurement process emerged during an internal meeting held on 14 January.

The meeting was attended by Mungunda, Angula and other senior managers at the commission, including manager for research and development Benedictus Dundee, general manager of operations Sonja Molebugi, and general manager for information and communication technology Tersia //Gowases.

The meeting discussed preparations for engagements with ministers regarding the implementation of the pension fund, the medical benefit fund and the possible management of Psemas.

Documents seen by The Namibian also show that the commission has a service level agreement with Multi-Wealth Management (Pty) Ltd to provide investment consulting services related to its funds.

The agreement states that the company provides advice on investment strategies, monitors asset managers and reports on investment performance.

It further states that “the consultant shall be paid a basic annual consulting fee of N$500 000 in respect of the services,” which is paid in monthly instalments during the duration of the agreement.

The agreement also includes strict confidentiality provisions.

“The parties undertake to keep confidential all information concerning the business and affairs of the other,” the document states.

Angula and Immanuel could not be reached for comment by the time of publication.

The internal audit investigation is expected to determine whether procurement procedures and governance rules were followed during preparations for the implementation of the two national funds.

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