Fishrot: Mwapopi suspended, Shuudifonya likely still employed
OGONE TLHAGE and ENZO AMWELE
WINDHOEK/OTJIWARONGO
Fishrot accused Philipus Mwapopi has been suspended by his employer, the City Police, pending an investigation into his role in the Fishrot corruption scandal.
The employment status of his co-accused Otniel Shuudifonya, however, remains murky, with his employer, the Otjozondjupa regional council, refusing the divulge details into what actions it has taken regarding the allegations. The duo has formally applied for bail.
Commenting on the matter, City Police spokesperson Celia Kapolo said an internal investigation into Mwapopi’s conduct was close to completion.
“He is on suspension pending [the] finalisation of an internal process which should be done by this month,” she said.
Also commenting on the matter was City Police chief Abraham Kanime, who was asked whether Mwapopi had been suspended with or without pay.
“It is a personal matter, we cannot talk about that, but we are aware that it is a matter of public interest. I believe the measures taken were appropriate,” he said.
Not a word
When approached on Shuudifonya’s employment status, chief regional officer in the Otjizondjupa regional council Agatha Mweti said declined to comment, while the council spokesperson, Cornelia Shikongo, remained tight-lipped as well.
Shuudifonya is – or was – employed as a deputy director within the council.
The duo, who had been unmasked as former Fishcor CEO Mike Nghipunya’s proxies, handed themselves over to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in December last year.
During court proceedings on Monday during Nghipunya’s bail application, it came to light from a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that Nghipunya held a 50% silent interest in a company called Wanakadu Investments, on paper solely owned by Mwapopi.
Shuudifonya had been perceived as a front for Nghipunya, who injected N$1.3 million capital into Fine Seafood Investment Trust, in which Shuudifonya is a trustee.
Shuudifonya told ACC investigators that the money was a loan which he was obliged to pay back, Namibian Sun reported in January.
WINDHOEK/OTJIWARONGO
Fishrot accused Philipus Mwapopi has been suspended by his employer, the City Police, pending an investigation into his role in the Fishrot corruption scandal.
The employment status of his co-accused Otniel Shuudifonya, however, remains murky, with his employer, the Otjozondjupa regional council, refusing the divulge details into what actions it has taken regarding the allegations. The duo has formally applied for bail.
Commenting on the matter, City Police spokesperson Celia Kapolo said an internal investigation into Mwapopi’s conduct was close to completion.
“He is on suspension pending [the] finalisation of an internal process which should be done by this month,” she said.
Also commenting on the matter was City Police chief Abraham Kanime, who was asked whether Mwapopi had been suspended with or without pay.
“It is a personal matter, we cannot talk about that, but we are aware that it is a matter of public interest. I believe the measures taken were appropriate,” he said.
Not a word
When approached on Shuudifonya’s employment status, chief regional officer in the Otjizondjupa regional council Agatha Mweti said declined to comment, while the council spokesperson, Cornelia Shikongo, remained tight-lipped as well.
Shuudifonya is – or was – employed as a deputy director within the council.
The duo, who had been unmasked as former Fishcor CEO Mike Nghipunya’s proxies, handed themselves over to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in December last year.
During court proceedings on Monday during Nghipunya’s bail application, it came to light from a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that Nghipunya held a 50% silent interest in a company called Wanakadu Investments, on paper solely owned by Mwapopi.
Shuudifonya had been perceived as a front for Nghipunya, who injected N$1.3 million capital into Fine Seafood Investment Trust, in which Shuudifonya is a trustee.
Shuudifonya told ACC investigators that the money was a loan which he was obliged to pay back, Namibian Sun reported in January.
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