Shalumbu remains suspended in N$8m spare parts scandal
Ndajoina Shalumbu, the chief executive officer of August 26 Holdings, remains suspended amidst allegations of fabricating a quotation for N$8 million in spare parts for a vehicle.
Board chairperson, Brigadier General Fillimon Shafashike, confirmed the suspension remains in effect, although he declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing disciplinary process. Shalumbu also confirmed his continued suspension.
Shafashike told Namibian Sun: “At this stage, the company is unable to comment on any specific details as the disciplinary process has not yet been concluded. Any updates or official statements will be shared as soon as it is appropriate and in accordance with the necessary protocols."
The suspension follows allegations that a single vehicle part was invoiced at an inflated cost of N$8 million. The board initiated an investigation during an extraordinary meeting late last year after a leaked invoice surfaced on social media, shared by Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda. Amupanda accused senior officials at August 26 Holdings of inflating the invoice for personal gain.
Internal Investigation
The investigation has focused on Shalumbu, who is alleged to have directed staff at Windhoeker Maschinenfabrik (WMF), a subsidiary of August 26 Holdings, to fabricate a quotation listing additional spare parts to justify the invoice.
WMF managing director Petrus Anton wrote to the company’s finance executive, Anna Max, accusing Shalumbu of personally instructing WMF staff to create the disputed quotation. “On Wednesday, 20 November 2024, you came to our offices after sending the attached email to instruct my people to fabricate a quote that we did not have. This, in my opinion, is unethical,” Anton wrote.
Ministry's initial reaction
In response to the initial controversy, the defence ministry’s executive director Wilhelmine Shivute claimed that the invoice covered thousands of spare parts for military Werewolf vehicles, not a single component as initially alleged. She explained that while the parts were listed as one item, they were intended for a single type of vehicle.
However, Amupanda dismissed the ministry’s clarification, releasing internal communications that further implicated Shalumbu. It was after this that Shalumbu got suspended.
Board chairperson, Brigadier General Fillimon Shafashike, confirmed the suspension remains in effect, although he declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing disciplinary process. Shalumbu also confirmed his continued suspension.
Shafashike told Namibian Sun: “At this stage, the company is unable to comment on any specific details as the disciplinary process has not yet been concluded. Any updates or official statements will be shared as soon as it is appropriate and in accordance with the necessary protocols."
The suspension follows allegations that a single vehicle part was invoiced at an inflated cost of N$8 million. The board initiated an investigation during an extraordinary meeting late last year after a leaked invoice surfaced on social media, shared by Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda. Amupanda accused senior officials at August 26 Holdings of inflating the invoice for personal gain.
Internal Investigation
The investigation has focused on Shalumbu, who is alleged to have directed staff at Windhoeker Maschinenfabrik (WMF), a subsidiary of August 26 Holdings, to fabricate a quotation listing additional spare parts to justify the invoice.
WMF managing director Petrus Anton wrote to the company’s finance executive, Anna Max, accusing Shalumbu of personally instructing WMF staff to create the disputed quotation. “On Wednesday, 20 November 2024, you came to our offices after sending the attached email to instruct my people to fabricate a quote that we did not have. This, in my opinion, is unethical,” Anton wrote.
Ministry's initial reaction
In response to the initial controversy, the defence ministry’s executive director Wilhelmine Shivute claimed that the invoice covered thousands of spare parts for military Werewolf vehicles, not a single component as initially alleged. She explained that while the parts were listed as one item, they were intended for a single type of vehicle.
However, Amupanda dismissed the ministry’s clarification, releasing internal communications that further implicated Shalumbu. It was after this that Shalumbu got suspended.
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