Rogue health officials reshuffled
ED says his hands are tied on suspensions
The health ministry\'s executive director Penda Ithindi says his hands are tied on suspending officials implicated in the alleged large-scale theft of drugs, pending the conclusion of criminal investigations, confirming that those suspected of corruption have, for now, been redeployed within the ministry.
Nearly two months ago, health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao filed a case with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), requesting an investigation into officials allegedly involved in stealing drugs from government medical stores and reselling them to the ministry.
Namibian Sun understands that the dossier also shines a light on officials accused of approving contracts between the ministry and entities in which they hold personal interests.
Speaking to Namibian Sun late yesterday, Ithindi said: “The executive director only suspends once investigations are completed and conclusive. We have redeployed some [suspected officials], which is different from suspension.”
‘People have guts’
He was responding to a request to confirm the number of suspended officials, after Luvindao said on NTV talk show, The Agenda, that “many” officials have been suspended as part of the case she filed with the ACC.
“The crux of the matter is that there are incidents, which we have reported to ACC and the police. In one instance, we found that drugs were delivered to the facility, then they were removed from the facility and sold back to us. Our own drugs that we have already been paid for,” the minister said.
“Apart from outright theft of drugs, there are also governance issues and conflicts of interest where those who are responsible for approvals approve tenders for companies that they have shares in.”
“It’s like you take my watch from me now, and then three days later I am told, ‘Do you want to buy this watch?’ People have guts," she added.
Asked whether anyone has been suspended so far regarding these matters, Luvindao responded: “Yes, many.”
Open with the public
She stressed that accountability would be visible and transparent.
“I’ve said this before: there are probably some things that we have to do a better job of communicating. That’s why we will now start publishing, once we get the official verdict from the committee that sits at finance, on the debarment of one of many companies. Once we get that verdict, we will publicly publish,” she said.
Luvindao argued that the public must be taken “on the journey” if trust is to be rebuilt.
She said if they don\'t communicate with the public, "you can’t blame them when they don’t understand what’s happening. Even in terms of medication registration, I now use every opportunity to inform and educate the public.”
Unmasking culprits
Namibian Sun previously reported that the suspected syndicate involved employees from three key bodies – the Central Medical Stores (CMS), the Project Management Unit (PMU) and the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC).
At the centre of the scandal is the procurement of quinine malaria tablets valued at N$450 000, which reportedly entered Namibia through an unauthorised border post nearly three months ago, were stocked at CMS, and later distributed to health facilities before being recalled.
The minister has submitted a detailed report to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), urging urgent investigations.
ACC director-general Paulus Noa previously confirmed receiving the minister’s request. “Yes indeed, the letter was received, and the ACC will investigate the allegations without delay,” he told Namibian Sun.
Luvindao, meanwhile, vowed that her ministry would ensure consequences. “Publishing is our step to show exactly what we are doing because when you do not publish, people think you’re not doing anything,” she said.
“I do not know what was happening before 22 March or 25 March. But going forward, from March 2025, what I can definitely say is this will not be tolerated.”
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Nearly two months ago, health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao filed a case with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), requesting an investigation into officials allegedly involved in stealing drugs from government medical stores and reselling them to the ministry.
Namibian Sun understands that the dossier also shines a light on officials accused of approving contracts between the ministry and entities in which they hold personal interests.
Speaking to Namibian Sun late yesterday, Ithindi said: “The executive director only suspends once investigations are completed and conclusive. We have redeployed some [suspected officials], which is different from suspension.”
‘People have guts’
He was responding to a request to confirm the number of suspended officials, after Luvindao said on NTV talk show, The Agenda, that “many” officials have been suspended as part of the case she filed with the ACC.
“The crux of the matter is that there are incidents, which we have reported to ACC and the police. In one instance, we found that drugs were delivered to the facility, then they were removed from the facility and sold back to us. Our own drugs that we have already been paid for,” the minister said.
“Apart from outright theft of drugs, there are also governance issues and conflicts of interest where those who are responsible for approvals approve tenders for companies that they have shares in.”
“It’s like you take my watch from me now, and then three days later I am told, ‘Do you want to buy this watch?’ People have guts," she added.
Asked whether anyone has been suspended so far regarding these matters, Luvindao responded: “Yes, many.”
Open with the public
She stressed that accountability would be visible and transparent.
“I’ve said this before: there are probably some things that we have to do a better job of communicating. That’s why we will now start publishing, once we get the official verdict from the committee that sits at finance, on the debarment of one of many companies. Once we get that verdict, we will publicly publish,” she said.
Luvindao argued that the public must be taken “on the journey” if trust is to be rebuilt.
She said if they don\'t communicate with the public, "you can’t blame them when they don’t understand what’s happening. Even in terms of medication registration, I now use every opportunity to inform and educate the public.”
Unmasking culprits
Namibian Sun previously reported that the suspected syndicate involved employees from three key bodies – the Central Medical Stores (CMS), the Project Management Unit (PMU) and the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC).
At the centre of the scandal is the procurement of quinine malaria tablets valued at N$450 000, which reportedly entered Namibia through an unauthorised border post nearly three months ago, were stocked at CMS, and later distributed to health facilities before being recalled.
The minister has submitted a detailed report to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), urging urgent investigations.
ACC director-general Paulus Noa previously confirmed receiving the minister’s request. “Yes indeed, the letter was received, and the ACC will investigate the allegations without delay,” he told Namibian Sun.
Luvindao, meanwhile, vowed that her ministry would ensure consequences. “Publishing is our step to show exactly what we are doing because when you do not publish, people think you’re not doing anything,” she said.
“I do not know what was happening before 22 March or 25 March. But going forward, from March 2025, what I can definitely say is this will not be tolerated.”
[email protected]
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