Ohangwena: Missing drought-relief money investigated
On top of missing drought-relief food worth N$600 000, the Ohangwena regional council recently launched an investigation into missing money – to the tune of N$140 000 – which was earmarked for food relief.
Six employees who allegedly stole drought-relief food at the Oshikango warehouse in the Ohangwena Region appeared in court last month. All were denied bail.
They have been identified as Minna Uukule (33), Jeipo Delany Hilongwa (42), Nehemia Shoovaleka (36), Gerrie van Wyk (42), Fillemon Shikongo (44) and Simon Joseph (33).
The case has been postponed to 2 April for further police investigations.
Now that it has surfaced that a large sum of money donated for flood relief has gone missing, governor Sebastian Ndeitunga has made his frustration clear.
He told Namibian Sun that when he took over office at the end of last year, outgoing governor Walde Ndevashiya informed him about the missing money meant to assist last year's flood victims.
He said he then requested that an investigation be conducted. The Namibian Police have since opened a case.
Unaccounted for
Preliminary investigations show that the missing N$140 000 was part of N$200 000, which was donated by the Road Fund Administration (RFA) when the region was battling floods last year.
According to Ndeitunga, items valued at N$60 000 were delivered to the regional council, leaving N$140 000 unaccounted for.
The donated money was allegedly transferred directly to a company from which flood-relief items were to be purchased at a total cost of N$199 772, Ndeitunga said.
“We are working around the clock to make sure this is solved as soon as possible. I have instructed those at the regional council to do a proper investigation and I was informed that they registered a case with the police. My office will not tolerate abuse of public funds meant to assist the needy,” he said.
Without approval
Ohangwena chief regional officer Fillip Shilongo said the transaction was carried out without council approval or knowledge.
The regional council held a meeting with officials from the governor’s office “to get to the bottom” of what has transpired, he said.
Some of the flood victims were in temporary shelters that were put up in the Ohangwena Region in January 2023.
Six employees who allegedly stole drought-relief food at the Oshikango warehouse in the Ohangwena Region appeared in court last month. All were denied bail.
They have been identified as Minna Uukule (33), Jeipo Delany Hilongwa (42), Nehemia Shoovaleka (36), Gerrie van Wyk (42), Fillemon Shikongo (44) and Simon Joseph (33).
The case has been postponed to 2 April for further police investigations.
Now that it has surfaced that a large sum of money donated for flood relief has gone missing, governor Sebastian Ndeitunga has made his frustration clear.
He told Namibian Sun that when he took over office at the end of last year, outgoing governor Walde Ndevashiya informed him about the missing money meant to assist last year's flood victims.
He said he then requested that an investigation be conducted. The Namibian Police have since opened a case.
Unaccounted for
Preliminary investigations show that the missing N$140 000 was part of N$200 000, which was donated by the Road Fund Administration (RFA) when the region was battling floods last year.
According to Ndeitunga, items valued at N$60 000 were delivered to the regional council, leaving N$140 000 unaccounted for.
The donated money was allegedly transferred directly to a company from which flood-relief items were to be purchased at a total cost of N$199 772, Ndeitunga said.
“We are working around the clock to make sure this is solved as soon as possible. I have instructed those at the regional council to do a proper investigation and I was informed that they registered a case with the police. My office will not tolerate abuse of public funds meant to assist the needy,” he said.
Without approval
Ohangwena chief regional officer Fillip Shilongo said the transaction was carried out without council approval or knowledge.
The regional council held a meeting with officials from the governor’s office “to get to the bottom” of what has transpired, he said.
Some of the flood victims were in temporary shelters that were put up in the Ohangwena Region in January 2023.
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