By Kaundjire Humbu
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has kicked allegations of corruption and maladministration at the Grootfontein Municipality to the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, with the ministry directed to conduct an internal probe into the matter.
ACC deputy director Erna Van der Merwe confirmed that acting director general Paulus Noa had directed the relevant line ministry to investigate allegations involving employment practices, tenders, procurement, alleged conflicts of interest and the treatment of municipal workers.
Merwe said the ministry should now be pressed for an update on the investigation, while Noa could also be approached to clarify what progress, if any, has been made since the directive was issued.
The development follows allegations of corruption, favouritism, tribalism and degrading treatment of employees at the Grootfontein Municipality, painting a disturbing picture of an institution allegedly plagued by internal problems.
People familiar with the local authority raised concerns about the municipality’s employment practices, tender processes, procurement, alleged conflicts of interest and the treatment of workers.
Employment was identified as one of the most contentious issues, with allegations that senior officials and human resources personnel are bringing former colleagues, friends and family members into the municipality.
It was alleged that people who previously worked for senior officials in their private businesses are being brought into the municipality, including into permanent positions, particularly after those private businesses have encountered financial difficulties.
“There are people giving work to each other because of favouritism,” one source alleged.
Temporary contracts were also allegedly being used to create pathways to permanent employment for certain individuals, while other employees were allegedly not afforded the same opportunities.
Tender concerns
Concerns were also raised about the awarding of municipal tenders, with allegations that contracts are repeatedly awarded to people within the same social circles.
“Tenders are always awarded to the same WhatsApp groups, for example, friends,” a source alleged.
The construction of a fire station was cited as an example, with an allegation that the tender was awarded to a person who was a friend of the chairperson of the procurement board.
It was further alleged that some tenders are not subjected to proper procurement processes and that delays occur even when procurement is urgently required.
Concerns were also raised about the municipality’s handling of refuse collection, with allegations that privately sourced vehicles are being used to collect refuse while municipal trucks remain broken down.
Questions were raised about why the municipality’s own trucks are not operational despite the municipality having technical personnel, including a recently employed mechanic and foreman.
Allegations of tribalism
Allegations of tribalism were also made in relation to senior appointments. It was claimed that people who are not Ovambo-speaking or who do not originate from northern Namibia allegedly face difficulties obtaining senior positions at the municipality.
“If you are not [from a specific tribe] or if you are not from [certain parts of the country], forget about a senior position,” a source alleged.
Questions were also raised about the recruitment of two people from the same household into senior plumbing-related positions, with an allegation that a husband and wife were interviewed for positions despite coming from the same household.
Confidente could not independently establish whether any recruitment regulations or conflict-of-interest provisions were breached.
An allegation was further made that a foreman is involved in a relationship with a subordinate and that the woman spends time in the same office despite allegedly not working there, while also allegedly claiming overtime.
Separately, concerns were raised about alleged corruption and unfair employment practices at the municipality.
People seeking employment are allegedly sometimes required to pay money or rely on personal connections to secure jobs.
“People who are hiring people are being paid so people can get jobs, which is very wrong. We are tired,” a source alleged.
Questions were also raised about the role of the municipality’s political leadership, including what the mayor and council were doing about the alleged problems.
A contract which allegedly ran from February 2025 until August 2026 was cited, with claims that the mayor and town council were present during this period and were therefore aware of the workers involved.
The high level of youth unemployment in Grootfontein was also highlighted, with allegations that employment opportunities are not sufficiently benefiting local residents.
It was alleged that some newly opened businesses in Grootfontein have employed people from outside the town, which was described as unfair to local jobseekers.
Concerns were also raised about the allocation of Build Together housing-related opportunities, with allegations that some opportunities are given to people known to those in positions of influence.
“In Grootfontein, if you do not have money, then you are nothing,” a source alleged.
The continued presence of livestock in the town was also questioned, with calls for the municipality’s political leadership to address concerns being raised by residents.
John //Khamuseb, Governor of the Otjozondjupa Region, refused to comment on such allegations. He noted that he had no knowledge of any allegations of that sort.
“I will not give any comments on that unless I have facts on the table,” //Khamuseb said.
Meanwhile, Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa was not reachable, while efforts to get hold of Grootfontein Mayor
Moritz Geingob did not yield any results at the time of publication.
