Armoured vehicles are demos, not bought – Kapofi

Defence minister Frans Kapofi has confirmed that three armoured vehicles linked to Uganda are in Namibia for demonstration purposes as government explores the possibility of manufacturing similar military equipment locally.AR leader Job Amupanda told the media yesterday that three military combat vehicles had been sourced from Uganda at N$18 million each through a company allegedly linked to Namibian musician Gazza.The vehicles comprise two armoured Toyota Land Cruisers and a KIA armoured personnel carrier.Kapofi told Namibian Sun yesterday that government had not bought the vehicles, contrary to what Amupanda had alleged.“I know about the vehicles, but they are not bought. The government has not spent a single cent on them for purchase,” Kapofi said.The minister said the vehicles travelled through Tanzania and Zambia before arriving in Namibia, where they are being showcased as part of government's interest in acquiring similar equipment and exploring local production.“They came here through Tanzania and Zambia until Namibia for demonstration purposes. This is because we are interested in similar vehicles with the possibility to produce the same,” he said.Kapofi said government was dealing with Windhoeker Maschinenfabrik (WMF) and not Gazza, whose alleged involvement in the arrangement had been raised by Amupanda.“All of these have nothing to do with Gazza. We are not dealing with him but Windhoeker Maschinenfabrik,” the minister said.Gazza could not be reached for comment.The vehiclesThe commercial invoice used for border purposes, numbered CI20260817, identifies Windhoeker Maschinenfabrik, based in Windhoek's Southern Industrial Area, as both the customer and consignee.The most expensive vehicle listed is a KIA armoured personnel carrier, described as a KLTV RHD Cobra 4, valued at US$400 000.The second is a Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Petrol Cobra, valued at US$275 000, while the third is a Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Cougar, valued at US$255 000.The invoice lists the combined value of the three vehicles as US$930 000, equivalent to 3.42 million United Arab Emirates dirhams.It also identifies Streit Security Vehicles FZ LLC in the United Arab Emirates as the beneficiary of the payment and provides banking details at the Commercial Bank of Dubai.The delivery terms are recorded as EXW, Streit, RAK, referring to an arrangement involving Streit's facility in Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. The invoice does not establish the vehicles' complete transport route.The document bears the branding of NEC–STREIT Uganda Ltd, the National Enterprise Corporation and BUBU, together with a company stamp dated 17 August 2026.Defence exhibitionAugust 26 acting CEO David Brown told Namibian Sun that the invoice was for customs clearance purposes only.Brown said the vehicles entered Namibia through Katima Mulilo with the full knowledge of the defence ministry and were originally intended for the South African Aerospace and Defence Exhibition in Pretoria in September.He explained that the vehicles were supposed to be fitted with communications equipment in Namibia before being taken to the exhibition but arrived too late because of delays involving border clearance and the movement of the convoy.He dismissed suggestions that their presence in Namibia was unusual, explaining that the vehicles were armoured but carried no weapons.“They [are] just armoured vehicles. They're green. They're no different to a cash and delivery vehicle,” Brown said.“They have no armaments on them, it's just a chassis with armour on top of it.”Brown confirmed that the vehicles were brought into Namibia under a six-month temporary import permit and would be shown to military, police, border patrol officials and other potential users.He said the arrangement was also intended to explore opportunities to revive Namibia's armoured vehicle manufacturing capability through the involvement of investors.The longer-term objective, according to Brown, is to establish whether similar vehicles could be manufactured locally for use in Namibia and export to other markets.‘Got it all wrong’Amupanda alleged that the vehicles had entered Namibia without the knowledge of the military authorities.“We don't know whether they are organising a coup or what is effectively happening for them to go and get these combat vehicles from [President Yoweri] Museveni in Uganda,” he said.Amupanda displayed photographs of what he alleged were the three vehicles and encouraged members of the public to circulate the images, allegedly because August 26 was hiding them.Brown rejected the allegations, saying: “So whoever informed Amupanda shame, I think Amupanda got it all wrong.”He suggested that Amupanda should have sought clarification before making the allegations.“You should maybe just check with us first.”Kapofi accused Amupanda of spreading false information and interfering in military matters.“I don't know what he is up to, who is behind him, but he is poking himself in everything that does not concern him."And who is he to get himself involved in everything that has to do with military operations?” Kapofi asked, adding that Amupanda “is spreading lies, and it is getting too much”.Kapofi challenged Amupanda to report any suspected irregularities to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) or approach the courts.“Let him go there,” Kapofi said.

Armoured vehicles are demos, not bought – Kapofi

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-06

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Armoured vehicles are demos, not bought – Kapofi

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-06

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