Kavango woman accuses 'pastor' of N$25 000 power scam
Left in the dark after allegedly scammed
A woman claims that after being scammed into paying for a fraudulent connection, she has to now fork out N$75 000 after she was fined by Nored.
A Rundu woman claims she was robbed of nearly N$25 000 by a man who allegedly posed as a Nored contractor and pastor, offering to connect her house to the electricity grid, a connection later deemed illegal by the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored).
Shiyave Mwengere told Namibian Sun over the weekend that her ordeal began in 2023 when she was approached by a man known to her as ‘Pastor John Kudumo’, who she claims presented himself as a Nored-accredited contractor.
Mwengere said she was convinced after the man allegedly arrived at her home in a Nored-branded vehicle, accompanied by others in uniform, with what appeared to be legitimate equipment.
"He told me these days the contractors handle everything. He said the money I paid would be shared between him and Nored," she claimed.
"I paid N$19 450 through an online transaction. Later, they came and installed four prepaid meters." She said she paid an additional N$6 000 in cash.
Mwengere said although one of the meters was old and looked pre-used, she initially dismissed it after being told that "as long as the power is on, it doesn't matter."
She added that from late 2023 until March this year, she and her tenants at the house were able to purchase electricity and use the meters without any problems.
In the dark
That changed in March when Nored arrived at her home and informed her that the connection was illegal.
"I was shocked. I showed them the receipts and even gave them the number of the contractor," she said. "They called him, and he confirmed everything – but still, they switched off the power."
Mwengere subsequently opened a case against Kudumo at the Rundu Police Station.
Nored spokesperson Simon Lukas confirmed the company had conducted an internal investigation after the case was reported.
"Nored can confirm that the power connection at the customer's premises was illegal," Lukas said. "The individual in question, referred to as Kudumo, is not an authorised contractor or affiliated with Nored in any formal capacity. We urge the public to always follow the correct channels and avoid dealing with unauthorised individuals."
Lukas added that illegal connections are a persistent problem that harms Nored's revenue, with Rundu currently recording the highest number of such cases.
He also questioned why anyone would make a payment into another person’s account after having applied through official Nored channels.
Wrongdoing denied
John Kudumo, when reached for comment, confirmed that Mwengere paid him to install the prepaid meters.
"If she has to pay for Nored, then everything has to be done for Nored; that is what we did," Kudumo said.
Kudumo denied that he installed old meters, saying, "If it was old or used, there's no way it can work."
Steep fine
Mwengere said Nored officials told her to submit a new application to bring her connection up to official standards.
She said she had to pay another instalment to Nored in May this year.
"I sacrificed my daughter's tuition money to pay another N$19 450," she said.
However, after submitting proof of payment, she was informed that she would first have to pay a N$100 000 fine, which was later reduced to N$75 000.
"I do not understand why I must pay so much. I'm not a criminal. I was scammed," she said. "They asked me to help with the case, to testify. I agreed. But now they ignore my calls."
Despite her pleas, she says help has been slow and inconsistent.
"I have done everything they asked – paid, gave statements, helped with the investigation. But still, I am being punished while the man who stole from me walks free."
Shiyave Mwengere told Namibian Sun over the weekend that her ordeal began in 2023 when she was approached by a man known to her as ‘Pastor John Kudumo’, who she claims presented himself as a Nored-accredited contractor.
Mwengere said she was convinced after the man allegedly arrived at her home in a Nored-branded vehicle, accompanied by others in uniform, with what appeared to be legitimate equipment.
"He told me these days the contractors handle everything. He said the money I paid would be shared between him and Nored," she claimed.
"I paid N$19 450 through an online transaction. Later, they came and installed four prepaid meters." She said she paid an additional N$6 000 in cash.
Mwengere said although one of the meters was old and looked pre-used, she initially dismissed it after being told that "as long as the power is on, it doesn't matter."
She added that from late 2023 until March this year, she and her tenants at the house were able to purchase electricity and use the meters without any problems.
In the dark
That changed in March when Nored arrived at her home and informed her that the connection was illegal.
"I was shocked. I showed them the receipts and even gave them the number of the contractor," she said. "They called him, and he confirmed everything – but still, they switched off the power."
Mwengere subsequently opened a case against Kudumo at the Rundu Police Station.
Nored spokesperson Simon Lukas confirmed the company had conducted an internal investigation after the case was reported.
"Nored can confirm that the power connection at the customer's premises was illegal," Lukas said. "The individual in question, referred to as Kudumo, is not an authorised contractor or affiliated with Nored in any formal capacity. We urge the public to always follow the correct channels and avoid dealing with unauthorised individuals."
Lukas added that illegal connections are a persistent problem that harms Nored's revenue, with Rundu currently recording the highest number of such cases.
He also questioned why anyone would make a payment into another person’s account after having applied through official Nored channels.
Wrongdoing denied
John Kudumo, when reached for comment, confirmed that Mwengere paid him to install the prepaid meters.
"If she has to pay for Nored, then everything has to be done for Nored; that is what we did," Kudumo said.
Kudumo denied that he installed old meters, saying, "If it was old or used, there's no way it can work."
Steep fine
Mwengere said Nored officials told her to submit a new application to bring her connection up to official standards.
She said she had to pay another instalment to Nored in May this year.
"I sacrificed my daughter's tuition money to pay another N$19 450," she said.
However, after submitting proof of payment, she was informed that she would first have to pay a N$100 000 fine, which was later reduced to N$75 000.
"I do not understand why I must pay so much. I'm not a criminal. I was scammed," she said. "They asked me to help with the case, to testify. I agreed. But now they ignore my calls."
Despite her pleas, she says help has been slow and inconsistent.
"I have done everything they asked – paid, gave statements, helped with the investigation. But still, I am being punished while the man who stole from me walks free."
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