Namcor MD investigated while on leave
The board of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) has commissioned auditing firm Deloitte to conduct a full forensic investigation into alleged misconduct by Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga.
The investigation started yesterday, on the first day of Mulunga's annual leave, and will continue until 20 January 2018, when he is expected to return to work.
Board chairperson Patrick Kauta said should the investigation not be completed by the time Mulunga returned for work, the board would meet again to decide on the way forward.
Kauta, however, said the board expected to know by 12 January whether more time was required for the investigation.
Mulunga is to be investigated over alleged questionable appointments of six temporary staff. Another matter to be investigated is the allocation of a tender to a Malaysian company, Hyrax Oil, for the supply of lubricants to the parastatal.
Namcor's ICT executive, Bonni Kandjoze, will also be investigated for his involvement in the lubricant tender allocation because he accompanied Mulunga to Malaysia on a trip that was sponsored by Hyrax Oil.
It is also alleged that the Namibian agent of the company, Alex Wayne, is a friend of Mulunga's.
Kauta said after an urgent board meeting yesterday that four of the temporary employees' contracts were expiring at the end of this month.
He said the board had therefore instructed the human resources department to audit the appointment of six people whose employment contracts had been terminated in terms of a resolution of a board meeting on 27 November.
Kauta said the board was well aware that some of the affected employees had expressed intent to institute a legal challenge against their dismissals.
He would, however, not expound on the legality of the termination of their contracts.
He also made it clear that the board had not sought permission from the minister of public enterprises, Leon Jooste, and minister of mines and energy, Obeth Kandjoze, to suspend Mulunga. He said the board had merely “consulted” the ministers, as was required by company directives.
“The investigation does not mean the allegations are true. The investigation is only to determine the veracity thereof. We want a full and thorough investigation,” Kauta said.
Kauta said Mulunga was aware of the investigation.
“This is not a clandestine investigation,” Kauta said.
Yesterday's board meeting further revoked a decision by Mulunga last week to suspend the manager of Namcor' commercial unit, Kosmos Damaseb.
Mulunga suspended Damaseb for allegedly not following orders and executing a project at the Tsandi Service Station where Namcor is to enter the retail market with Teya Investment.
Damoline Muruko, Namcor's executive of corporate governance, will act as MD while Mulunga is on leave.
CATHERINE SASMAN
The investigation started yesterday, on the first day of Mulunga's annual leave, and will continue until 20 January 2018, when he is expected to return to work.
Board chairperson Patrick Kauta said should the investigation not be completed by the time Mulunga returned for work, the board would meet again to decide on the way forward.
Kauta, however, said the board expected to know by 12 January whether more time was required for the investigation.
Mulunga is to be investigated over alleged questionable appointments of six temporary staff. Another matter to be investigated is the allocation of a tender to a Malaysian company, Hyrax Oil, for the supply of lubricants to the parastatal.
Namcor's ICT executive, Bonni Kandjoze, will also be investigated for his involvement in the lubricant tender allocation because he accompanied Mulunga to Malaysia on a trip that was sponsored by Hyrax Oil.
It is also alleged that the Namibian agent of the company, Alex Wayne, is a friend of Mulunga's.
Kauta said after an urgent board meeting yesterday that four of the temporary employees' contracts were expiring at the end of this month.
He said the board had therefore instructed the human resources department to audit the appointment of six people whose employment contracts had been terminated in terms of a resolution of a board meeting on 27 November.
Kauta said the board was well aware that some of the affected employees had expressed intent to institute a legal challenge against their dismissals.
He would, however, not expound on the legality of the termination of their contracts.
He also made it clear that the board had not sought permission from the minister of public enterprises, Leon Jooste, and minister of mines and energy, Obeth Kandjoze, to suspend Mulunga. He said the board had merely “consulted” the ministers, as was required by company directives.
“The investigation does not mean the allegations are true. The investigation is only to determine the veracity thereof. We want a full and thorough investigation,” Kauta said.
Kauta said Mulunga was aware of the investigation.
“This is not a clandestine investigation,” Kauta said.
Yesterday's board meeting further revoked a decision by Mulunga last week to suspend the manager of Namcor' commercial unit, Kosmos Damaseb.
Mulunga suspended Damaseb for allegedly not following orders and executing a project at the Tsandi Service Station where Namcor is to enter the retail market with Teya Investment.
Damoline Muruko, Namcor's executive of corporate governance, will act as MD while Mulunga is on leave.
CATHERINE SASMAN
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