By Jeremiah Ndjoze

Namibia Petroleum Corporation (NAMCOR) has launched an internal investigation into claims of nepotism and irregularities around the awarding of a tender for the recruitment of a dealer at its Hosea Kutako service station, which is fast raising a stink at the parastatal. 
 

This was confirmed by NAMCOR’s spokesperson Utara Hoveka, after an internal whistleblower leaked written correspondence between a disgruntled a bidder (name withheld) and NAMCOR’s acting chief executive officer, Victoria Sibeya. 
In the communication the entrepreneur has it that the opening process of the tender numbered NCS/ONB/NC-03/2024 was not above board. 
“It has come to our attention that the bidder selected for award did not meet the specific requirements outlined in the tender documents, and we believe that their bid should have been rejected during the opening process,” the bidder wrote in an email dated June 9, 2025. 
 

The complainant raised allegations that the tender was awarded to Nambaza Investment CC with no valid certification and that there was no proper adherence to technical specifications from the bid winning entity and nor did that company submit a tender document copy marked as such. 
“Despite these apparent deficiencies, the bidder was permitted to participate further and was ultimately awarded the contract, which raises concerns about the transparency and fairness of the procurement process,” they wrote.
“We kindly request the procurement department to review the bid evaluation process and the basis on which the award was made. We believe that a thorough re-evaluation or clarification is necessary to ensure that the selection process remains fair, transparent, and in accordance with the stipulated tender procedures.”
He further blew the whistle on possible relations between one of the parastatal’s employees and Nambaza Investment CC, citing spin-offs that may have emanated from it and stating that he was ready to proof the connection in a court of law.  

INVESTIGATION 
Hoveka, told Confidente that the corporation is aware of the claims and that the matter is receiving the entity’s attention. 
“We confirm objections received from one of the bidders around the fairness of the selection process of the tender in question. We are investigating the allegations before taking appropriate action if warranted,” Hoveka said. 
“Please note that the tender has not been awarded yet,” Hoveka added.
On her part, the spokesperson of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Namibia (ACC), maintained that if the complaint was received this year, it will be too early for her to give a viable comment as there are “processes and stages that the complaint has to go through before it can be shared with the public.”

CORRESPONDENCE 
On June 19, 2025 the complainant maintained that he had obtained evidence that raised further concerns about the transparency of the (bidding) process. they alleged that the attendance register for the bid interview on February 17th, 2025, indicates that no representative from Nambaza Investment CC was present, or the company in question was absent from the interview, and only two companies were represented, namely Ants Investments CC and Nessipark Investment CC. 
“In light of this, I respectfully request that your office obtain and review the security footage on the date of the bid interview (17th February 2025) to verify the attendance of bidders to familiarize yourself with the process,” they demanded.
“To maintain the integrity of the procurement process and avoid any potential issues, I urge you to investigate this matter further. I have consulted with legal counsel, and any future communications regarding this matter will be handled by my legal team,” he maintained.
 

In response, the office of the NAMCOR CEO through her PA wrote; “In response to your email, we furnish you with our records, proof of the bid opening, and the attendance register of the interviews conducted.  As per our initial response, please furnish us with proof of your concerns and claims to promptly address the issues.”
Confidente has learned that on July 3, 2025, following Sibeya’s assertion via a letter dated July 1, 2025 that Nambaza Investment CC did submit all the required documents and complied with all requirements, the complainant demanded all the transcribed minutes of each interview held with all bidders.
 

They further wanted all video footage and other documentation depicting the physical presence and participation of the successful bidder during the interview and other evidence depicting the attendance of the Nambaza Investment at the opening.
“This request is made with the view to enabling my legal representative to conduct a comprehensive review of the process to determine compliance with the Public Procurement Act and to assess whether procedural irregularities or deviations may have occurred, particularly concerning the apparent omission of the successful bidder's signature and the possible insertion of their name without proper attendance,” they wrote. 
On July 8, 2025, according to records, Sibeya wrote back saying: “In relation to the reconsideration request, NAMCOR is inviting you this afternoon, 14:30, to its premises to view the CCTV footage.”
However, on 09 July 2025 wrote: “After consulting my legal team, I am opting to exercise my legal right as per Public Procurement Act, 2015 and NBD. I am writing to formally notify you that I will be submitting our case to the Ministry of Finance Review Panel regarding the above Tender, based on the queries I have raised previously and new evidence.”

NEPOTISM
On July 11, 2025, the bidder further raised allegations of nepotism against the parastatal’s employees, one of whose wife they alleged is a close acquaintance of the winning company’s owners.
They wrote: “His wife is related to or friends with the Nambaza owners wife (call records and pictures of the four couples will be used as proof in court). His sister is currently managing the Hosea Kutako Service Station, and three sisters are employed at the same station. His sister is managing or has a tender to sublet the Otjiwarongo Service Station.”
The aggrieved businessman further revealed in the email that he has been inundated with calls from journalist but has referred the to NAMCOR’s public relations department. 
“I do not want to be the informant, or used by inside staff but if you really want to clean up Namcor it is time to use proof,” they maintained.
 

They further revealed that their“estimated legal cost, is around N$150,000 which I will pay by Tuesday next week, that’s in case you go ahead awarding Nambaza while having proof.” 
“This will be my last communication to your office. I deserve this tender and have all funds ready to start. All this information will be forwarded to the ACC from an inside source,” the communications obtained by Confidente reads.