Alweendo’s ex-advisor reported to ACC
Ralph Muyamba, the former technical advisor to mines minister Tom Alweendo, has been reported to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over allegations related to a N$50 million bribe allegedly paid by a Chinese company to access a sought-after lithium mining concession.
Addressing the media yesterday, Alweendo said administratively, the ministry can no longer investigate Muyamba because he had since resigned.
Muyamba, together with mining commissioner Erasmus Shivolo and Alweendo, were alleged to have benefitted from a N$50 million bribe paid by Chinese company Xinfeng Investment to block the renewal of an exclusive prospecting licence (EPL) which initially belonged to Karlowa Mining Enterprises.
The EPL was awarded to Orange River Mining, which belongs to Muyamba’s cousin, who sold the licence to the Chinese company immediately after getting it.
“When you do an investigation in the public service, you cannot do that if the person is no longer in your employ. Unfortunately, Ralph has resigned and therefore, administratively, you can no longer investigate someone that is not part of you,” Alweendo said.
The matter had been reported to the ACC, he added.
“They will investigate and tell us what happened.”
No qualms
Alweendo defended the non-renewal of the EPL, saying it was common practice when no exploration was taking place.
“I’ve got no qualms with people who complain because we have taken away their licences. I will continue to do that and if it means I am taking away from you, so be it.
"The licences must be given to the people who are going to do development,” he said.
Cash cow
A widely-circulated social media post detailed how the EPL transfer from Karlowa to Xinfeng had been facilitated.
“The managing director of Xinfeng has a corrupt relationship with the mining commissioner and is currently the commissioner's foremost cash cow. When Mr Shivolo approached Xinfeng to buy the Karlowa EPL, they did not hesitate and they immediately paid N$50 million to Orange River Mining and related entities.
“This is how Mr Muyamba made a fortune. Mr Shivolo got N$2 million out of the deal. Part of N$50 million was used for the settlement of the case out of court. The rest was shared between Muyamba, Alweendo and the like,” the post read.
Addressing the media yesterday, Alweendo said administratively, the ministry can no longer investigate Muyamba because he had since resigned.
Muyamba, together with mining commissioner Erasmus Shivolo and Alweendo, were alleged to have benefitted from a N$50 million bribe paid by Chinese company Xinfeng Investment to block the renewal of an exclusive prospecting licence (EPL) which initially belonged to Karlowa Mining Enterprises.
The EPL was awarded to Orange River Mining, which belongs to Muyamba’s cousin, who sold the licence to the Chinese company immediately after getting it.
“When you do an investigation in the public service, you cannot do that if the person is no longer in your employ. Unfortunately, Ralph has resigned and therefore, administratively, you can no longer investigate someone that is not part of you,” Alweendo said.
The matter had been reported to the ACC, he added.
“They will investigate and tell us what happened.”
No qualms
Alweendo defended the non-renewal of the EPL, saying it was common practice when no exploration was taking place.
“I’ve got no qualms with people who complain because we have taken away their licences. I will continue to do that and if it means I am taking away from you, so be it.
"The licences must be given to the people who are going to do development,” he said.
Cash cow
A widely-circulated social media post detailed how the EPL transfer from Karlowa to Xinfeng had been facilitated.
“The managing director of Xinfeng has a corrupt relationship with the mining commissioner and is currently the commissioner's foremost cash cow. When Mr Shivolo approached Xinfeng to buy the Karlowa EPL, they did not hesitate and they immediately paid N$50 million to Orange River Mining and related entities.
“This is how Mr Muyamba made a fortune. Mr Shivolo got N$2 million out of the deal. Part of N$50 million was used for the settlement of the case out of court. The rest was shared between Muyamba, Alweendo and the like,” the post read.
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