August 26 initiates probe into N$8m car part saga
At its extraordinary meeting last week, the August 26 Holdings' board of directors instituted a probe into allegations that a single car part was invoiced to the tune of N$8 million, with the board aiming to take 'appropriate action' against those involved.
This after Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda leaked an invoice in late November, alleging that the defence ministry ordered a car part from its subsidiary, Windhoeker Maschinenfabrik (WMF), with claims that senior officials at August 26 Holdings inflated the invoice to N$8 million for personal gain.
Responding to a Namibian Sun enquiry, August 26’s board chairperson Fillimon Shafashike confirmed that the extraordinary meeting, convened specifically to discuss Amupanda's allegations, took place as planned but hastened to add that the discussions will remain confidential.
“While the details remain confidential, the board is committed to transparency and resolving the issue in line with governance protocols,” Shafashike said.
CEO under investigation
The investigation also extends to August 26 CEO Ndajoina Shalumbu, who is accused of instructing WMF officials to fabricate a quotation to list additional spare parts to justify the N$8 million invoice. Shalumbu declined to comment when asked to do so last week.
According to Shafashike, all allegations have been addressed, with the board taking necessary steps to resolve the matter, including actions related to Shalumbu.
“At this stage, the outcomes of the extraordinary board meeting remain confidential to preserve the integrity of the process. We assure you that the defence ministry, as the ultimate shareholder, will be informed once all internal procedures are finalised,” Shafashike explained.
Ministry responds
Amupanda alleged that the defence ministry ordered a vehicle spare part from its subsidiary, WMF, and that some senior officials within August 26 Holdings – a parent company to WMF – sought to make money from the deal by inflating the invoice to N$8 million.
However, at a press conference called to address Amupanda's allegations, the defence ministry’s executive director Wilhelmine Shivute said the invoice that the activist shared on social media was for the purchase of ‘thousands’ of vehicle parts for the army's Werewolf armoured personnel carrier.
The parts ordered from WMF were intended for a single type of vehicle and listed as one item, despite thousands of parts being ordered, Shivute told the media.
Correspondence made public
Not backing off, Amupanda later released an exchange of letters between Petrus Anton, the managing director of WMF, and the company's finance executive Anna Max, in which both alleged that August 26 Holdings CEO Ndajoina Shalumbu instructed WMF to fabricate a quotation listing spare parts that were supposedly purchased with N$8 million.
In a letter dated 20 November, Anton asked Shalumbu for an explanation about his alleged instruction to WMF staff.
“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. As I have reported before, I have issues with you coming to my office and having meetings with my people or giving them instructions,” Anton wrote.
"This, in my opinion, is unethical. Lastly, I need to understand why you gave instructions to fabricate this quotation. You were informed that the quote did not exist, why proceed to have it produced?” Anton wrote.
This after Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda leaked an invoice in late November, alleging that the defence ministry ordered a car part from its subsidiary, Windhoeker Maschinenfabrik (WMF), with claims that senior officials at August 26 Holdings inflated the invoice to N$8 million for personal gain.
Responding to a Namibian Sun enquiry, August 26’s board chairperson Fillimon Shafashike confirmed that the extraordinary meeting, convened specifically to discuss Amupanda's allegations, took place as planned but hastened to add that the discussions will remain confidential.
“While the details remain confidential, the board is committed to transparency and resolving the issue in line with governance protocols,” Shafashike said.
CEO under investigation
The investigation also extends to August 26 CEO Ndajoina Shalumbu, who is accused of instructing WMF officials to fabricate a quotation to list additional spare parts to justify the N$8 million invoice. Shalumbu declined to comment when asked to do so last week.
According to Shafashike, all allegations have been addressed, with the board taking necessary steps to resolve the matter, including actions related to Shalumbu.
“At this stage, the outcomes of the extraordinary board meeting remain confidential to preserve the integrity of the process. We assure you that the defence ministry, as the ultimate shareholder, will be informed once all internal procedures are finalised,” Shafashike explained.
Ministry responds
Amupanda alleged that the defence ministry ordered a vehicle spare part from its subsidiary, WMF, and that some senior officials within August 26 Holdings – a parent company to WMF – sought to make money from the deal by inflating the invoice to N$8 million.
However, at a press conference called to address Amupanda's allegations, the defence ministry’s executive director Wilhelmine Shivute said the invoice that the activist shared on social media was for the purchase of ‘thousands’ of vehicle parts for the army's Werewolf armoured personnel carrier.
The parts ordered from WMF were intended for a single type of vehicle and listed as one item, despite thousands of parts being ordered, Shivute told the media.
Correspondence made public
Not backing off, Amupanda later released an exchange of letters between Petrus Anton, the managing director of WMF, and the company's finance executive Anna Max, in which both alleged that August 26 Holdings CEO Ndajoina Shalumbu instructed WMF to fabricate a quotation listing spare parts that were supposedly purchased with N$8 million.
In a letter dated 20 November, Anton asked Shalumbu for an explanation about his alleged instruction to WMF staff.
“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. As I have reported before, I have issues with you coming to my office and having meetings with my people or giving them instructions,” Anton wrote.
"This, in my opinion, is unethical. Lastly, I need to understand why you gave instructions to fabricate this quotation. You were informed that the quote did not exist, why proceed to have it produced?” Anton wrote.
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