Justicia Shipena
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has flagged the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) over the escape of fugitive Victor Malima. Malima remains at large in connection with the Namcor fuel corruption case.
ACC director general Paulus Noa said that Malima has not yet been arrested and said there are no new developments.
“We have nothing to update the public except to say that he has not yet been arrested,” Noa said.
He explained that the suspect [Malima] has been reported to all relevant authorities, not just in Angola.
“We have to contact all the authorities through Interpol, not only Angola. Mind you, when you need someone, you have to follow certain procedures, and we notify the authorities, so that is what has happened,” he told Windhoek Observer on Monday.
Two weeks ago, the ACC confirmed that Malima fled to Angola after leaving Namibia through the Wenela border post at Katima Mulilo.
Media reports show that Malima crossed the border minutes before an ACC-issued stop notice was uploaded to the immigration system.
Authorities initially alerted their Zambian counterparts to intercept him but were told there was no official record of his entry into Zambia. Investigators later concluded he proceeded directly into Angola.
The ACC has since issued a warrant of arrest for Malima.
Malima owns Eco Fuels and previously served as chairman and managing director of Enercon Namibia PTY Ltd, a company central to the alleged fuel credit fraud.
Investigators allege that Malima played a key role in facilitating large volumes of fuel for Enercon and Eco Fuels with unsecured credit from Namcor.
Court documents show that in March 2022, Namcor consolidated Eco Fuels’ debt of about N$73 million into Enercon’s books, which already reflected an unpaid balance of N$35 million, bringing the total to around N$108 million.
Despite the growing debt, Namcor continued supplying fuel to Enercon without securing new repayment guarantees.
Enercon’s unpaid balance grew significantly, contributing to Namcor’s current credit exposure of more than N$1.6 billion across all defaulting clients.
Malima’s leadership in both companies allowed him to transfer debt and continue fuel procurement under questionable terms.
Public records and court filings confirm the debt restructuring and continued fuel transactions, which form part of the corruption case now before the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.
Authorities allege Malima used political connections to maintain access to Namcor’s credit facilities as debts mounted.
Previously, Noa told the media that the ACC is working with SADC partners and cross-border agencies to track him down and bring him back to Namibia.
Meanwhile, nine other accused have already appeared in court. Some are applying for bail, with only Lydia Elindi granted bail so far.
Those charged include former Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga; former acting executive for supply and logistics Cornelius “Cedric” Willemse; former territory manager Olivia Dunaiski; former chief financial officer Jennifer Hamukwaya and Panduleni Hamukwaya.
Also charged are the former directors of Enercon, Peter and Malakia Elindi.
On Monday, the ACC arrested two more individuals linked to the case, bringing the total number of persons implicated to 12.
The group faces charges of corruption, fraud, racketeering, money laundering, conspiracy to commit corrupt acts, abuse of office, and falsifying documents.
The state alleges the amount misappropriated exceeds N$480 million.
