Omusati top brass probed

Serious allegations of corruption have been levelled against the Omusati chief regional officer, Protasius Andowa, leading to his suspension on Friday following a lengthy meeting. Namibian Sun has learned from reliable sources that Andowa and the council’s deputy director of finance, Elizabeth Mutota, were suspended to pave the way for a high-level investigation into claims that they failed to explain how the regional council spent N$12.3 million. Omusati Governor Erginus Endjala confirmed the suspensions yesterday, saying he had ordered an investigation into the affairs of the council. “Procedurally, as a governor I am not allowed to talk to an administrator on administrative issues, that is why I had to inform the council and maybe that is what led to this,” he said. According to a source privy to the affairs of the Omusati Regional Council, Andowa is suspected of giving false information on how some of the council funds meant for capital projects were spent, dating back as far as the 2012/13 financial year.“It was after the Omusati state of the region address when he gave misleading information to the governor on the progress of the capital projects that the governor suspected something fishy and an investigation was launched. “The director of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Paulus Noa, was also here and that is what led to his suspension,” the source told Namibian Sun.The source continued that early this year - when Andowa realised that the council’s financial position was getting precarious – he reportedly asked the chairperson of the council’s management committee, Modestus Amutse, and the regional governor to request additional funding from the line minister, Sophia Shaningwa. The council’s request for additional funds was reportedly approved, and the funds were channelled to the regional council in April this year. However, Andowa reportedly used the money to settle the council debt, which included outstanding amounts from the 2012/13 financial year. “Andowa told them to go request additional funds from Shaningwa claiming that the council had used all its money on capital projects that are completed. Shaningwa approved over N$12.3 million which was processed on 18 April.” It was only discovered later that there might have been irregularities when the governor’s office requested budgets for capital projects. At this point, Andowa reportedly could not explain how the N$12.3 million had been used. The ACC’s Noa confirmed that he was in Omusati two weeks ago, but denied that it was part of an investigation into Andowa. “It is true that I was in the region two weeks ago, but my visit was not about investigations. I know we have investigated allegations of toilets in the region some years ago, but about the last suspension I cannot say anything,” he said. Noa also declined to comment on whether the issue had been reported to the ACC. Neither Andowa nor Amutse could be reached for comment yesterday. Attempts to reach Shaningwa also proved futile. ILENI NANDJATO

Omusati top brass probed

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Namibian Sun 2026-06-05

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Omusati top brass probed

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Namibian Sun 2026-06-05

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