Jooste sets eyes on TransNamib

JEMIMA BEUKESWINDHOEKMinister of public enterprises Leon Jooste says an investigation will soon be launched into the affairs of TransNamib, whose CEO Johny Smith says there is a witch-hunt to get rid of him.“I have been made aware of certain issues at TransNamib and I will instruct that the ministry look into these independently to understand what the underlying issues are,” said Jooste.It is alleged that there are internal and external individuals scrambling to use their influence to get payoffs and commissions through TransNamib's property portfolio, currently worth N$2.4 billion, CEO Johny Smith confirmed last month.Namibian Sun recently reported that the parastatal board of directors had written a letter to Smith, in which it asked him to explain lawsuit losses suffered by the parastatal, among other things.The board also wants answers on million-dollar investigations instituted by TransNamib against staff members and monies invested in projects.Smith has dismissed these allegations as a pot of lies, and machinery used as part of a witch-hunt to get rid of him.This alleged infighting reportedly came after cabinet gave TransNamib the greenlight to sell off its non-core properties in order to raise funds needed to implement strategic plans.Namibian Sun has reliably learned that some board members are scrambling to get kickbacks through these agreement deals.It is also alleged that the friction between Smith and the board started when he put his foot down and objected to the directors' involvement in procurement matters.jemima@namibiansun.com

Jooste sets eyes on TransNamib

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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Jooste sets eyes on TransNamib

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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