Shiimi ouster linked to Meatco controversy
Minister allegedly de-campaigned as pro-white
A series of events revolving around Meatco, including his alleged refusal to carry out what he deemed an illegal instruction, led to the minister's shocking exit.
Former finance and public enterprises minister Ipumbu Shiimi allegedly lost his Cabinet position due to sustained campaigns that painted him as prioritising white farmers' interests at Meatco over their black counterparts.
Sources within government and Swapo claim that efforts to discredit Shiimi stemmed from his refusal to endorse the renewal of former Meatco CEO Mwilima Mushokabanji’s contract, which ended in January. Shiimi reportedly opposed the alleged irregular and coercive manner in which the contract extension was reportedly being handled, refusing to be associated with the process.
The controversy began when Shiimi sought Cabinet approval last year for the appointment of a new Meatco board, chaired by Sakaria Nghikembua. While his submission was solely about the board’s appointments, Cabinet allegedly approved the appointments on the condition that the new board extend Mushokabanji’s contract.
Shiimi opposed this, arguing that governance protocols required a separate submission for the CEO’s contract extension. According to sources, he reportedly maintained that the new board should first be appointed before making any decisions about the CEO’s contract.
“He fundamentally disagreed that Cabinet could unilaterally initiate the CEO’s contract extension without input from the Meatco board,” a source said.
Subsequently, agriculture ministry executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata allegedly wrote to Meatco confirming the board’s approval and instructing the directors to renew Mushokabanji’s contract. However, the board later opted against extending it, citing the company’s poor financial performance.
Political undercurrents
Joseph Andreas, a Grootfontein businessman and board member, was reportedly a staunch supporter of Mushokabanji’s contract renewal. A powerful figure within Swapo and a close ally of party secretary general Sophia Shaningwa, Andreas was allegedly behind efforts to tarnish Shiimi’s image ahead of key electoral processes, including Swapo’s electoral college.
Andreas denied the allegations, pointing out that Shiimi had appointed him to the Meatco board twice, suggesting no animosity between them.
“If you have a child who misbehaves, would you put them back in your house? Shiimi appointed me twice, and last year, we worked together on Swapo’s party manifesto. As far as I’m concerned, there has never been a problem between us,” Andreas said.
Around the same time, a widely circulated WhatsApp message accused Shiimi of deliberately alienating ‘Caprivians’. The message alleged that his opposition to Mushokabanji’s contract renewal was part of a plan to deprive Zambezi Region farmers of a market for their beef by removing a CEO from their region.
Despite these allegations, Shiimi was one of the best performers at the Swapo electoral college.
Cabinet clash and political fallout
At a subsequent Cabinet meeting, Shiimi was reportedly confronted by fellow ministers for defying the directive to extend Mushokabanji’s contract. He argued that Cabinet had erred in its directive, but was criticised for failing to raise his concerns earlier.
“He was accused of keeping Cabinet in the dark on this matter,” a source revealed.
Shaningwa’s presence at the meeting allegedly weakened Shiimi’s standing in Swapo ahead of key government appointments.
Feeling increasingly sidelined, Shiimi reportedly wrote to then president Nangolo Mbumba, expressing his discontent over his treatment for refusing to carry out what he deemed an illegal directive. He allegedly said he would rather resign than compromise his integrity by following an irregular instruction.
Swapo leaders were allegedly fed the narrative that Shiimi was serving “white interests” at Meatco, a claim that some believed.
In January, the Swapo central committee formally requested an update from Shiimi on Meatco’s structural reforms. He was also summoned to a committee meeting but did not attend, fuelling further criticism that he lacked consultation and often made unilateral decisions.
“This irked a lot of people,” a government source said.
On Saturday morning, ahead of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Cabinet announcement, reports emerged that Shiimi would not be reappointed. This was later confirmed when his name was absent from the new ministers' list, with Ericah Shafudah named as the new minister of finance.
Shiimi did not respond to requests for comment.
Sources within government and Swapo claim that efforts to discredit Shiimi stemmed from his refusal to endorse the renewal of former Meatco CEO Mwilima Mushokabanji’s contract, which ended in January. Shiimi reportedly opposed the alleged irregular and coercive manner in which the contract extension was reportedly being handled, refusing to be associated with the process.
The controversy began when Shiimi sought Cabinet approval last year for the appointment of a new Meatco board, chaired by Sakaria Nghikembua. While his submission was solely about the board’s appointments, Cabinet allegedly approved the appointments on the condition that the new board extend Mushokabanji’s contract.
Shiimi opposed this, arguing that governance protocols required a separate submission for the CEO’s contract extension. According to sources, he reportedly maintained that the new board should first be appointed before making any decisions about the CEO’s contract.
“He fundamentally disagreed that Cabinet could unilaterally initiate the CEO’s contract extension without input from the Meatco board,” a source said.
Subsequently, agriculture ministry executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata allegedly wrote to Meatco confirming the board’s approval and instructing the directors to renew Mushokabanji’s contract. However, the board later opted against extending it, citing the company’s poor financial performance.
Political undercurrents
Joseph Andreas, a Grootfontein businessman and board member, was reportedly a staunch supporter of Mushokabanji’s contract renewal. A powerful figure within Swapo and a close ally of party secretary general Sophia Shaningwa, Andreas was allegedly behind efforts to tarnish Shiimi’s image ahead of key electoral processes, including Swapo’s electoral college.
Andreas denied the allegations, pointing out that Shiimi had appointed him to the Meatco board twice, suggesting no animosity between them.
“If you have a child who misbehaves, would you put them back in your house? Shiimi appointed me twice, and last year, we worked together on Swapo’s party manifesto. As far as I’m concerned, there has never been a problem between us,” Andreas said.
Around the same time, a widely circulated WhatsApp message accused Shiimi of deliberately alienating ‘Caprivians’. The message alleged that his opposition to Mushokabanji’s contract renewal was part of a plan to deprive Zambezi Region farmers of a market for their beef by removing a CEO from their region.
Despite these allegations, Shiimi was one of the best performers at the Swapo electoral college.
Cabinet clash and political fallout
At a subsequent Cabinet meeting, Shiimi was reportedly confronted by fellow ministers for defying the directive to extend Mushokabanji’s contract. He argued that Cabinet had erred in its directive, but was criticised for failing to raise his concerns earlier.
“He was accused of keeping Cabinet in the dark on this matter,” a source revealed.
Shaningwa’s presence at the meeting allegedly weakened Shiimi’s standing in Swapo ahead of key government appointments.
Feeling increasingly sidelined, Shiimi reportedly wrote to then president Nangolo Mbumba, expressing his discontent over his treatment for refusing to carry out what he deemed an illegal directive. He allegedly said he would rather resign than compromise his integrity by following an irregular instruction.
Swapo leaders were allegedly fed the narrative that Shiimi was serving “white interests” at Meatco, a claim that some believed.
In January, the Swapo central committee formally requested an update from Shiimi on Meatco’s structural reforms. He was also summoned to a committee meeting but did not attend, fuelling further criticism that he lacked consultation and often made unilateral decisions.
“This irked a lot of people,” a government source said.
On Saturday morning, ahead of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Cabinet announcement, reports emerged that Shiimi would not be reappointed. This was later confirmed when his name was absent from the new ministers' list, with Ericah Shafudah named as the new minister of finance.
Shiimi did not respond to requests for comment.
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