Suspension shrouded in secrecy

DETAILS around the suspension of the chief of the Namibian army, Lieutenant General Martin Shalli, remained shrouded in secrecy yesterday as journalists and members of the public alike pondered what next.

By the afternoon, it was clear that charges would not be put to Shalli very soon, as those heading the investigation strategise on further steps.Shalli’s suspension came as a major shock on Wednesday.He was suspended following a recent trip by Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa to China.Informed sources say he allegedly received kickbacks in a deal with a Chinese company – but through a third party in whose account the money was deposited in Zambia.When the Zambian intelligence and Police caught the person, she is believed to have spilled the beans and was handed over to the Namibian Police and the Anti-Corruption Commission.Shalli refused to comment on the suspension while Presidential Affairs Minister Albert Kawana said the suspension followed ‘serious allegations of irregularities which must be thoroughly investigated’.He said Shalli’s suspension would facilitate an unhindered investigation.It is still not clear whether the suspension will lead to the prosecution of Shalli.Those in the know say they are dealing with a very ‘sensitive case’ as it involves the head of the armed forces.Sources said Shalli explained that some US$250 000 was transferred to him from China from people who rented his house in Windhoek for a year.However, they claimed he had millions of Namibia Dollars transferred to him through staff member at Namibia’s High Commission in Zambia.christof@namibian.com.na