Forensic probe flags N$774k bill for 900 Otji bins

The Otjiwarongo municipality faced a N$774 004.05 payment demand after 900 wheelie bins were delivered without a purchase order, according to a draft forensic investigation.The report, prepared by Masiza Forensic Services and dated May 2025, found that the municipality had allegedly not issued the required purchase order when Rock Leigh Investments delivered the bins in October 2024.It also found that a municipal official who communicated with the supplier was not authorised under the contract to handle the procurement.Rock Leigh's lawyers, Theunissen, Louw and Partners, issued the payment demand on 16 October 2024, after 900 bins were delivered between 3 and 9 October.The investigators traced the matter to 30 August 2024, when Rock Leigh said deputy town engineer Timothy Ggita told it the municipality needed 1 500 bins.Rock Leigh reconfirmed the quantity with Ggita on 2 September. A week later, Ggita reportedly indicated that a purchase order would be issued subject to the availability of funds.The report found that Ilona Ismael was the municipality's designated representative under the contract and was responsible for communicating with Rock Leigh on quantities, prices and purchase orders. Ggita was not authorised to conduct those procurement discussions, it said.Fewer bins needed, report saysThe municipality's finances also raised concerns. According to the forensic report, finance manager Laudia Hamukwaya told investigators that it could not afford 1 000 or 1 500 bins in September 2024 and could afford about 100 bins a month over the financial year.The solid waste supervisor estimated the municipality's actual need at about 300 bins, based on applications from residents and other clients.Ggita reportedly emailed management on 20 September asking whether the municipality could afford 1 000 bins at N$890 each.The investigators concluded that Ggita may have represented to Rock Leigh that the municipality required the bins and that his conduct appeared to support the supplier's version that he had placed an order.They found that the procurement had been initiated without an approved purchase requisition and identified possible transgressions, including gross abuse of authority and gross negligence.The report also identified possible procurement and contractual transgressions by Rock Leigh for delivering the bins without a purchase order and communicating with an unauthorised municipal official.The investigators warned that the municipality could face legal costs and other expenses arising from the dispute. They recommended that the management committee consider disciplinary and/or criminal proceedings against implicated municipal employees and third parties, as well as refresher training on procurement rules and contract administration.Dispute settledThe municipality has since settled the matter with Rock Leigh, chief executive officer Mberipura Hifitikeko confirmed to Namibian Sun yesterday.Hifitikeko could not provide the date or amount of the final payment and referred questions to finance manager Laudia Hamukwaya for the payment details.Questions sent to Hamukwaya regarding the settlement had not been answered by the time of publication.Municipal procurement records show that Rock Leigh was awarded a two-year contract in 2024 to supply and deliver 240-litre wheelie bins.Ggita was suspended with full remuneration in November 2024. The municipality initially declined to disclose the reason for his suspension.It later confirmed that he resumed duty on 14 July.phillipus@nmh-hub.com.na

Forensic probe flags N$774k bill for 900 Otji bins

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-08

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Forensic probe flags N$774k bill for 900 Otji bins

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-08

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