Renthia Kaimbi
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has opened an investigation into the Walvis Bay municipality over alleged irregularities linked to a N$3.4 million pothole repair tender. The probe also covers the recruitment process of a senior manager.
ACC interim spokesperson Marina Matundu confirmed the investigation to the Windhoek Observer.
“We confirm that a case has been registered with us, but the investigations are still at an early stage,” she said.
The investigation centers the allegations around the municipality’s chief executive officer, Victoria Kapenda.
According to documents and sources, the ACC is examining a tender awarded for pothole repairs across the town.
In August 2025, the Windhoek Observer reported on a whistleblower complaint alleging that the tender process was changed from an open request for quotations to a restricted bid.
The complaint alleges that four contractors were selected without public notice.
The process reportedly bypassed the municipal procurement portal and excluded other qualified bidders.
The selection was allegedly made by a single senior official without following standard procedures.
One of the companies selected reportedly had no prior service record with the municipality.
At the same time, investigators are looking into the recruitment of the general manager for human resources and corporate communications services.
The recruitment process has drawn scrutiny since last year.
On 28 October 2025, the line minister, James Sankwasa, instructed then mayor Trevino Forbes to restart the recruitment process.
He cited “procedural unfairness” and ordered the council to submit a report once the process was completed.
The municipal council allegedly did not comply with the directive. Instead of restarting the process, it confirmed the appointment of Sylvia Schubert, who assumed office yesterday.
The recruitment process was first reported by The Windhoek Observer in October 2025.
That report revealed that the municipality paid Schubert N$8 795 in subsistence and travel allowance to attend her interview.
The Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu) lodged a complaint with Sankwasa and alleged that a prior shortlist had been tampered with.
The union described the subsistence and travel payment as “irregular, unethical and constituting financial impropriety” and said such payments are prohibited under rule 33 of the recruitment regulations.
Earlier findings also alleged that Kapenda interfered in the shortlisting process.
She was accused of ordering the removal of a candidate, Elisabeth Swarts, from the shortlist and instructing that Rosina Muatunga and Jafet Nelongo be added.
These allegations, together with the council’s alleged failure to comply with a ministerial directive, now form part of the ACC investigation.
When asked for comment in October 2025, Kapenda said: “I suggest that you get information from your sources.”
Management committee chairperson Ephraim Shozi confirmed the investigation yesterday but declined to comment on the substance of the case.
“We are aware that the ACC is investigating several irregularities but I, unfortunately, cannot comment at the moment until we get direction from either the ACC or minister Sankwasa. We are also aware that he was notified about certain irregularities, which we know he responded to last year,” Shozi said.
