‘Media leaks’ among Mulunga’s alleged sins

The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) board was divided this week on whether to suspend managing director Imms Mulunga, but a powerful faction gunning for his head emerged victorious when it pushed through his suspension for, among other things, allegedly leaking confidential information to the media.

Mulunga was abruptly ushered out on Tuesday night after a meeting held at finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi’s office.

He faces three charges in total. The other two relate to alleged stock loss at Namcor – believed to be in relation to fuel worth N$69 million belonging to Validus Energy, which the national oil company reportedly used without the owner’s consent.

The fuel was kept at the national oil storage at Walvis Bay, which Namcor manages.

It has been previously reported that Namcor’s logistics executive Cedric Willemse used Validus’ fuel after Namcor’s own supplies were delayed.

Mulunga is also charged for a confirmatory affidavit he issued in a matter involving Namcor’s chief financial officer Jennifer Hamukwaya, who dragged the company to court over its decision not to renew her contract.

The board views Mulunga’s affidavit as contradicting to its collective decision not to renew the contract.

N$100m matter

Contrary to popular anticipation, Mulunga will not face any charge related to the widely reported N$100 million payment he authorised towards an oil project in Angola, where Namcor is a 10% shareholder. The transaction did not have the board’s final approval.

Namibian Sun understands that because investigations in the Angolan payment were already concluded, the board could not use that matter as fodder to suspend Mulunga.

“The principle is that a person is suspended to pave way for investigation. But because this investigation was already concluded, those pushing for the suspension could not use this issue any more, so they had to find new grounds to get rid of him,” an official close to the matter commented.

Mulunga was last week summoned to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to explain the payment he made for the Angolan oil block. ACC director-general Paulus Noa said he will scrutinise Mulunga’s evidence and, if necessary, he will then summon the board.

Latest information availed to Namibian Sun suggests that as the deadline loomed for payment for the Angolan oil project, Mulunga asked the Namcor finance department to make payment to an account the company co-manages with its joint venture partners in the oil reserve.

“Mulunga was sure the board will give him the go-ahead because of the benefits the Angolan project will bring to Namcor. So, he thought it was a no-brainer that the board will approve,” a source said.

“Surprisingly, the board turned down his request for approval. And because he was not the only one with access to the account of the joint venture, by the time he tried to reverse the payment, another partner had already made payment to Angola. That’s what landed him [Mulunga] in trouble.”

‘Objective leadership’

Mulunga has been suspended with full pay. Namcor executive for business strategy Shiwana Ndeunyema will lead the company until Monday when Lionel Matthews will take over as the substantive acting managing director.

Matthews, a seasoned executive, is currently an advisor in the ministry of finance.

“The appointment of an external acting managing director will allow for objective leadership and an independent investigation,” a Namcor board statement said yesterday.

Mulunga’s suspension is seen to be part of a vicious battle between him and board chairperson Jennifer Comalie. Comalie’s recent arrest over drugs found in her car has been alleged to be part of that infighting.