Hauwanga disputes N$149m bank loan

Businessman Benjamin Hauwanga, popularly known as ‘BH’, disputes owing Bank Windhoek millions of dollars, claiming he never received or accessed the proceeds of a loan facility of approximately N$149 million allegedly granted to him and his wife in 2024. Hauwanga alleges that the funds were deposited into an account to which he did not have access and that he never benefited from the money. He maintains that the funds remain in an account controlled by the bank, despite the lender now pursuing the recovery of the outstanding debt through the sale of assets linked to him. The dispute follows a Windhoek High Court judgment in favour of Bank Windhoek, ordering Hauwanga, his wife, Mirjam, and several associated business entities to pay approximately N$137 million. The judgment paved the way for the bank to pursue the execution of the order against assets belonging to the respondents. Among the properties listed for auction were Bennie's Entertainment Park and Lodge in Ongwediva, BH Spares and Accessories Equipment and Technologies, BH Properties, BH Construction and Mining Angola, and Magnum Centre. Other assets listed included trucks, tractors, workshop equipment, vehicle parts and office furniture. Speaking to Namibian Sun on Friday, Hauwanga said that although he had signed a loan agreement with Bank Windhoek in June 2024, he had neither received nor accessed the funds. “I'm telling you now, since I signed this agreement, I never received any money from the bank,” he said. DisputeHe said the dispute centred on a commercial loan agreement dated 3 June 2024, which, according to the documents seen by Namibian Sun, provided for a facility of approximately N$148.9 million to him and his wife. The agreement provided for repayment over five years, with monthly instalments of approximately N$1.7 million beginning on 1 July 2024. However, Hauwanga claims he was not informed when the loan was approved or when the funds were allegedly made available. “When they approved it, they didn't tell me,” he said. He said he only became aware of the alleged transaction after examining documents filed by the bank in the court proceedings. This prompted him to request statements relating to the commercial loan account. “The bank transferred N$149 million. Until today, this money is in this account,” he said. Hauwanga further claimed that a bank statement he obtained on 30 October 2026 showed no withdrawals or transactions indicating that he had accessed or used the funds. Money in the bankHe also alleged that when he approached the bank to request a withdrawal of N$20 million from the account, he was told that the money belonged to the bank. “I went to the bank and I said I want to withdraw N$20 million from this account. He said no, this money belongs to the bank,” he said. He questioned why he was being held liable for repayment of funds that, according to him, had never been placed at his disposal. Hauwanga also disputed suggestions that he had failed to meet his financial obligations to the bank, saying he had continued servicing a separate loan facility. “I have my loan in the bank and I pay it,” he said, stressing that his repayments on the other facility should not be confused with the disputed loan. He further claimed to have made substantial payments to Bank Windhoek during 2024 and 2025. However, the precise relationship between these payments and the disputed facility was not established during the interview. Asked to respond to Hauwanga's allegations, Bank Windhoek strategic communications manager Samuel Linyondi confirmed that the bank was aware of the legal matter but declined to comment on the substance of the dispute, citing client confidentiality and ongoing court proceedings. “In keeping with its statutory confidentiality obligations, the bank is unable to disclose information relating to its clients or their banking affairs. As the matter is currently subject to legal proceedings, the bank cannot comment further at this stage,” he said.Legal battleOn 2 July 2026, the High Court granted summary judgment in favour of Bank Windhoek, ordering Hauwanga, his wife and their associated business entities to pay approximately N$137.03 million. Hauwanga subsequently approached the High Court in an attempt to suspend execution of the judgment. He argued that the order had been granted in their absence and that they had not been given an adequate opportunity to present their defence. However, on 27 October 2026, the court struck his urgent application from the roll after finding that it did not meet the requirements for urgent consideration. The application was therefore unsuccessful, leaving the bank able to proceed with enforcement of the existing judgment, subject to any further court orders. A judicial auction was scheduled for 29 October in Oshakati.

Hauwanga disputes N$149m bank loan

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-09

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Hauwanga disputes N$149m bank loan

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-09

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