By Ester Mbathera and Tileni Mongudhi | 28 October 2022

THREE government officials are linked to a controversial N$50 million lithium mining deal which enriched their friends and relatives through a mineral that powers the world’s green economy.


Lithium is at the centre of a global scramble, because it is used to create batteries for electric vehicles.
To fight climate change, more countries are requiring automakers to produce electric cars, sending prices soaring for a mineral of which the production is dominated by China.


In the latest scandal to plague the Ministry of Mines and Energy, three officials are accused of playing a role in removing businessman Jacobus de Klerk from claims to a mine near Uis at Omaruru, and handing control of the rich deposits to Chinese-owned Xinfeng Investments.


The three officials connected to the transaction are Rafael ‘Ralph’ Muyamba, a former technical assistant to the mines minister, Timoteus Mashuna, a historian in the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs. The third official is Ndili Benyamen, a mines ministry geologist and friend of Mashuna.


De Klerk has spent seven months in hospital recovering from a car accident. He has suffered traumatic head injuries, and says he was tricked into surrendering his claims while he was healing.


Officials are suspected of using their relatives and associates to apply for mining claims in areas with high-value minerals, especially where there is interest from foreign mining companies.


These claims are mainly those that are about to expire and where little or no substantial exploration work is carried out.


Some government officials are suspected of sharing information with these companies to ensure they are awarded such rights.


Muyamba resigned from his post last week amid new revelations about the deal.
Mines minister Tom Alweendo reported him to the Anti-Corruption Commission this week, and called a media briefing to distance himself from the saga.


Xinfeng bought the mine’s licence for N$50 million.


In the process, Muyamba’s cousin, Peter Shifwaku, scored an N$18 million payment in July which appears to be linked to this lithium deal.


The payment was made through his company Orange River Mining.


Court documents show that Shifwaku agreed to sell 100% of Orange River Mining to the Chinese outfit for N$50 million on 23 June.


The Chinese company also agreed to pay Shifwaku N$6 million upon signing the agreement.


That same month, Shifwaku’s mining company splashed money on eight vehicles – a Ford Ranger worth N$1,1 million, Volkswagen Amarok valued at N$933 400, a top-of-the-range Toyota Hilux Legend worth N$819 000, three Volkswagen Tiguans worth N$639 900 each, and two other Toyota Hilux Legends worth about N$500 000.


Bank statements seen by The Namibian show payments of N$50 000 to N$400 000 were transferred to people believed to be Muyamba’s relatives.


As adviser to Alweendo, Muyamba held an influential position.


“If my cousin is benefiting and is earning an income out of that, what can I do?” Muyamba said last year.


“He is my cousin. The law does not say if you work at the ministry your cousin should not benefit.”
“The law is very clear that me and my wife and children cannot benefit. I don’t have a wife. My children are not beneficiaries of those mineral rights,” Muyamba told The Namibian last week.


He said his brother Josef Muyamba has had mining interests for over eight years.

THE ‘HEIST’

De Klerk last year told The Namibian that he was swindled out off his company Karlowa Mineral Resources by business associates while he was in hospital recovering from head injuries caused by a car accident.


He said his employee, Isak Shoombe, introduced him to Mashuna, Benyamen, and Thomas Alfeus.
“Thomas pretended to be the answer with all connections everywhere. He introduced me to Mashuna and Ndili (Benyamen). I had no idea it was a scam,” he said.


He spent about nine months in hospital in 2016.


That’s when Mashuna, Benyamen and his wife Albertina Ekandjo reportedly removed him from the company and took charge of the mining claims.


Karlowa Mineral Resources’ registration document bears the names of Ekandjo, Mashuna and the late businessman Barnabas Ugwanga. It was during this time he claims he was removed from Karlowa Mineral Resources’s documents as both shareholder and director.


As a result, he lost his mining claims for zinc, tantalum and lithium.


The claims were allegedly transferred to a new entity called Karlowa Mining Enterprise.


Mashuna is the sole director of this entity, with company registration documents stating he co-owns it with Immanuel Shoopala Iipanda, Hosea Isak Shoombe, and Tomas Alfeus.


Alfeus hung up the phone when he was yesterday asked for comment.


Records show that the four at one point served as directors in Karlowa Mineral Resources with Ekandjo and De Klerk.


Benyamen confirmed knowing De Klerk, but denied any involvement by his wife.


“My wife has never been involved in a company with such names. She never majored in mining, plus Jaco doesn’t know my wife. My wife never opened a company for mining,” he said.


When shown the registration document, he claimed he knew nothing about the company over which he is accused of using his wife’s name without her consent.


“I work in the laboratory as a geologist . . . but I don’t work with mining rights,” Benyamen said.
He suspects that De Klerk has an issue with him because of his proximity to Mashuna.
“Get hold of Mashuna. He can explain their business,” Benyamen said.


While in the hospital, De Klerk’s mining claims expired and were not renewed.

INVESTIGATION

Mines executive director Simeon Negumbo told The Namibian in February 2021 that De Klerk had four mining rights which he held from 10 November 2013 to 9 November 2015.


He confirmed that those claims were awarded to Karlowa Mining Enterprise, because De Klerk did not renew them.


De Klerk says he was in hospital and unable to do so.


“After his mining claims expired, the ministry did not receive the application(s) for renewal from the complainant until 13 October 2020, when the complainant reapplied for the said claims.”


Negumbo said an internal investigation showed there was no substantial evidence linking Benyamen to any wrongdoing.


“Albertina Ekandjo, wife to Benyamen. She does not work for the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and we do not have jurisdiction over her.


“The ministry did not receive any prima facie evidence from De Klerk implicating Benyamen to these allegations. Thus, the ministry cannot take any disciplinary action against him in line with the Public Service Code of Conduct,” he said.

CHAMBER OF WORRIES

New information about how the lithium mine was established points to many flaws in the licensing process, from the awarding of exploration rights to poor environmental enforcement, and allegedly fraudulent business registrations.


The Namibian’s investigations have found that the ministry launched a probe last year, targeting officials in its geological and mineral departments in connection with allegations of fraud, theft of mining claims and extortion. The Chamber of Mines Namibia is worried about the N$50 million mining scandal.


In an interview with The Namibian on Friday, the chamber’s chief executive officer, Veston Malango, said the minister’s statement did nothing to repair the image of the mining industry.


“This is not helpful. It’s damaging to the image of our mining industry, more especially since the rumours are around the regulator, the minister himself,” he said.


He urged the minister to get to the bottom of the scandal and clear the name of the country and the industry.


“Namibia as an attractive investment destination for mining and exploration is tainted,” he said.

CLASHING WITH THE LAW

Xinfeng, which now owns the lithium mine, is developing a reputation of being on the wrong side of the law in Namibia.


Last week Alweendo announced that he has stopped the company from exporting lithium ore because the company had failed to honour its legal obligation to process the mineral in Namibia. He said the company claimed that the 54 000 tonnes exported to China were test samples.


As the company imported 80 Chinese tipper trucks to transport the ore to the harbour, doubts emerged over whether the company has any intentions of building a processing plant in Namibia.


In April, The Namibian reported that mining commissioner Shivolo stopped Xingfeng’s mining explorations after the company started mining without an environmental clearance certificate.

WHY IS THIS STORY IMPORTANT

For years, the mines and energy ministry has been a hotbed of bribes, kickbacks and opaque distribution of public resources to a few politically favoured individuals. Despite repeated corruption claims against ministry officials, none have faced prosecution.


This story also shows how ministry officials use administrative loopholes to allegedly enrich their associates.

*This article is produced by The Namibian Investigative Unit. Contacts us at:
[email protected]

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

496 COMMENTS

  71. Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative.
    I am going to watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate
    if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited
    from your writing. Cheers! Lista escape room

  89. The next time I read a blog, Hopefully it won’t disappoint me as much as this particular one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read, but I actually thought you’d have something useful to say. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something that you can fix if you weren’t too busy looking for attention.

  95. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker who had been doing a little research on this. And he actually bought me dinner because I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to talk about this matter here on your website.

  107. After looking over a number of the blog posts on your website, I truly appreciate your technique of blogging. I book-marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my web site as well and tell me your opinion.

  114. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I am hoping to view the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own, personal website now 😉

  134. Hi, I do believe this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will come back once again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.

  168. A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I believe that you should write more about this topic, it may not be a taboo subject but usually people do not talk about these issues. To the next! All the best.

  174. Great site you have here.. It’s difficult to find high quality writing like yours nowadays. I truly appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

  178. An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I think that you ought to write more about this subject, it may not be a taboo subject but generally people don’t speak about these topics. To the next! Kind regards!

  183. Your style is really unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this site.

  201. Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited your blog before but after going through many of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m certainly delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often.

  204. Hi, I do believe this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to return yet again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.

  212. Next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not fail me as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, nonetheless I actually thought you would have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something you can fix if you weren’t too busy seeking attention.

  215. Spot on with this write-up, I honestly believe this web site needs a lot more attention. I’ll probably be returning to see more, thanks for the advice!

  218. Having read this I believed it was rather informative. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this content together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it.

  219. You have made some decent points there. I checked on the web for more information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.

  220. Good post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It will always be helpful to read articles from other authors and use something from their web sites.

  226. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after going through a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m certainly happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!

  232. May I simply just say what a comfort to discover a person that actually knows what they’re discussing over the internet. You actually know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people should look at this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you aren’t more popular since you certainly possess the gift.

  236. Greetings, There’s no doubt that your site might be having web browser compatibility problems. When I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Other than that, fantastic blog!

  240. Your style is really unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this page.

  247. Howdy! This blog post could not be written much better! Looking at this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept preaching about this. I am going to send this post to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!

  248. An interesting discussion is worth comment. I believe that you should write more about this subject, it may not be a taboo matter but generally folks don’t discuss these topics. To the next! Many thanks.

  264. Hi, I do think this is an excellent website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will return yet again since i have bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.

  266. Good post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon every day. It will always be helpful to read through articles from other writers and use something from other sites.

  276. May I simply say what a relief to find someone that genuinely knows what they are discussing on the net. You certainly understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you are not more popular because you definitely possess the gift.

  280. An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I do think that you ought to publish more about this subject, it might not be a taboo subject but usually folks don’t speak about such issues. To the next! All the best.

  283. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been doing a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me dinner because I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to talk about this matter here on your blog.

  295. Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thanks, However I am going through difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I cannot join it. Is there anyone else having identical RSS issues? Anyone who knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  296. I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I stumbled across this during my hunt for something concerning this.

  302. Your style is unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this page.

  307. Hi, I do think this is an excellent website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will come back once again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.

  318. Hello there, I do think your blog could possibly be having web browser compatibility problems. When I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, wonderful site.

  331. The very next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not disappoint me just as much as this one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read, nonetheless I truly believed you’d have something useful to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something that you could fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention.

  350. Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above. Wienieckiej,Restauracji „As” z Barem,Kawiarnią,Letnim Tarasem na Placu Wolności,umeblowanego pięciu pokojowego mieszkania oraz 2-ch sklepów.natomiast w Warszawie otrzymaliśmy wspólnie z wysiedloną rodziną z miasteczka Kowal Panem Janem Markiewiczem małą restaurację w dzierżawę z Zarządu Miasta Warszawy na podstawie okazanego dokumentu,że jesteśmy wysiedleni i pozbawieni dotychczasowej własności.W następnym terminie wyznaczonego przesłuchania okazała dowód wysiedlenia w ciągu 20 minut oraz zarekwirowanie pozostałych składników nieruchomości oraz zbombardowanego w Powstaniu Wrszawskim w 1944 przez Niemców Wienieckiej,Restauracji „As” z Barem,Kawiarnią,Letnim Tarasem na Placu Wolności,umeblowanego pięciu pokojowego mieszkania oraz 2-ch sklepów.natomiast w Warszawie otrzymaliśmy wspólnie z wysiedloną rodziną z miasteczka Kowal Panem Janem Markiewiczem małą restaurację w dzierżawę z Zarządu Miasta Warszawy na podstawie okazanego dokumentu,że jesteśmy wysiedleni i pozbawieni dotychczasowej własności.W następnym terminie wyznaczonego przesłuchania okazała dowód wysiedlenia w ciągu 20 minut oraz zarekwirowanie pozostałych składników nieruchomości oraz zbombardowanego w Powstaniu Wrszawskim w 1944 przez Niemców
    https://3dprintboard.com/member.php?136416-taverhori1985
    Jak się gra w pokera, wie wiele osób, ale jak dobrze grać w pokera – to już wiedza posiadana przez wąskie grono ludzi, dla których gry karciane nie mają żadnych tajemnic. Warto na początku poznać podstawowe zasady gry, by następnie pogłębiać swoją wiedzę i przyswoić rozmaite strategie pokerowe. Codzienny bonus Codzienny bonus 45 gier w katalogu Odbierz darmowe żetony i poznaj zasady Texas Hold’em. Ucz się od najlepszych graczy. Rzuć wyzwanie przyjaciołom lub graj przeciwko tysiącom graczy z całego świata na dowolnym urządzeniu. GGPoker offers the most popular online poker variants, including Texas Hold’em and Omaha, alongside unique poker games like fast-fold Rush & Cash, Flip & Go, Spin & Gold and All-In or Fold. From freerolls to high roller tournaments, from Bounty Hunters to Sunday majors and everything in between, we have real money online poker tournaments to suit all tastes at GGPoker. All games are available at a range of stakes. No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.

  351. I seriously love your website.. Great colors & theme. Did you create this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m hoping to create my own personal website and would love to find out where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named. Many thanks.

  356. I blog frequently and I genuinely thank you for your content. This article has really peaked my interest. I will book mark your website and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.

  360. After I originally commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a way you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks.

  395. Your style is so unique compared to other people I have read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this page.

  397. I just install WordPress. I post some posts but they all go to homepage. How can I let posts go to different page, for example, I have ‘articles’ tab and ”events’ tab. I want articles postings go to articles section and I want events postings go to events section..

  405. I was extremely pleased to discover this website. I need to to thank you for ones time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely appreciated every bit of it and i also have you book marked to look at new information in your web site.

  415. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and interesting, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too few folks are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I came across this during my search for something relating to this.

  421. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту радиоуправляемых устройства – квадрокоптеры, дроны, беспилостники в том числе Apple iPad.
    Мы предлагаем: ремонт квадрокоптеров цены
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  426. An interesting discussion is worth comment. I do think that you ought to write more about this subject, it might not be a taboo subject but typically people don’t discuss these subjects. To the next! Many thanks!

  444. I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something not enough people are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I found this in my search for something concerning this.

  448. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту бытовой техники с выездом на дом.
    Мы предлагаем:ремонт крупногабаритной техники в екатеринбурге
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  454. Howdy, I believe your site may be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Aside from that, excellent site.

  457. Hi, I do think your site could be having internet browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, wonderful site.

  459. Hey! I’m Charles, and if you’re tired of the 9-to-5 grind and think office coffee tastes like misery, I’ve got excellent news for you. Invite to the 1K a Day System, where we switch coffee for money flow and desks for financial self-reliance. Are you all set to trade in your tie for a ticket to liberty? Let’s turbocharge your profits and have some fun along the way!

  464. Hello! I’m Charles. If you’re stuck in a financial Groundhog Day, repeating the very same battles, let’s break the cycle. The 1K a Day System is your way out, leading you to new mornings of success and capacity. Awaken to something fantastic!

  469. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту фото техники от зеркальных до цифровых фотоаппаратов.
    Мы предлагаем: починить фотоаппарат
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  470. Профессиональный сервисный центр по ремонту фото техники от зеркальных до цифровых фотоаппаратов.
    Мы предлагаем: мастер по ремонту проекторов
    Наши мастера оперативно устранят неисправности вашего устройства в сервисе или с выездом на дом!

  471. I was very happy to find this site. I wanted to thank you for ones time for this wonderful read!! I definitely appreciated every bit of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to check out new information on your site.

  472. Hi there! Just wanted to stop by and say how much I appreciate your blog. Your guidance on making money from home is spot-on. Making money from home is a dream for many, and making money online makes it achievable. By leveraging your internet presence and promoting items you have faith in, you can create a steady stream of income. It’s all about finding the perfect market and audience. Your blog serves as a valuable resource for anybody looking to dive into the world of affiliate marketing. Keep bright!

  476. 403. Forbidden. Unlock access to our best horse handicapping tips for a fraction of the cost. That all changed when I met Kate and married into a horse race-loving family. Rick Surwilo, my father-in-law, had started going to the racetrack as a teenager with his family. This was a time before lotteries and casinos, and horse racing was the only legal form of gambling, so it was something really different to go and do. His family lived in Connecticut but had bought a little home in Woodford, Vermont, and Rick’s dad loved to take the wife and kids to the Green Mountain Race Track in Pownal, just a little ways south of there. They’d set up their lawn chairs by the finish line, and Grandpa Surwilo would take everyone’s orders and go relay the bets to the tellers.
    https://directory-b.com/listings12816620/slot-wynn-online-casino
    Are you looking for an online casino for UK players that allows you to deposit as little as £1, £5 or even £10, but also rewards you with a deposit bonus? Well, then you’re in luck. A variety of UK-based casinos have realised the need for offering low deposits while still rewarding newcomers to enjoy their casino experience. Not everyone is a high-roller or ready to drop £100’s when just starting out at a new casino they’ve never tried. For this reason, we researched the best low deposit UK casinos and the pros and cons to make your decision that much easier. It’s clear why the online casino no minimum deposit USA concept works for players. But how do the casinos benefit from it? Could there be a trick in the background? There’s nothing shady. It’s pure marketing!

  479. Hello there! Just swinging by to commend your remarkable blog. Your knowledge on affiliate marketing are genuinely commendable. Earning an income from home has never been easier thanks to affiliate marketing. It’s all about leveraging your online presence and marketing goods or services that resonate with your audience. Your blog is a treasured resource for anyone exploring making money from home. Keep doing the amazing work!

  491. Hey there! Just swinging by to praise your awesome blog. Your tips on making money online are truly tremendous. Making money from home has never been more accessible with affiliate marketing. It’s a great way to generate additional income by promoting services you trust. Your blog is a wealth of insights for emerging online entrepreneurs. Keep doing what you’re doing!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here