…NIP finds meat supplied to Grootfontein base was contaminated
Renthia Kaimbi
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs wants to cancel its subcontract with Klein Windhoek Schlacherei (Pty) Ltd.
This comes after laboratory tests found bacteria in the boerewors the company supplied to the Grootfontein Air Force Base.
In a letter dated 3 September 2025, the ministry’s executive director, Annely Haiphene, ordered the termination.
Haiphene said the discovery raised “serious questions about the supplier’s reliability.”
This follows when, on 24 July, a complaint about spoilt meat triggered an inspection at the airbase.
Inspectors found 174 boxes of assorted meat declared unfit for human consumption.
Samples were sent to the Namibian Institute of Pathology (NIP) for testing.
Documents of the tests in possession of the Windhoek Observer show that of the four products tested, the boerewors sample showed the most critical failure.
The laboratory report confirmed “abundant growth” of organisms, mostly E. coli, and concluded, “E. coli severe pathogen was isolated, noting that the food is not fit for human consumption.”
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that is commonly found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals.
Other products tested by NIP showed mixed results.
The beef stew sample showed the presence of Raoultella planticola and Aeromonas hydrophila, but no harmful germs were found.
Polony showed moderate growth of several organisms but was cleared of pathogens. The vienna sample could not be tested due to insufficient quantity.
Haiphene’s letter was addressed to Alpha Nekomba, acting managing director of August 26 Logistics (Pty) Ltd, the primary contractor, and copied to August 26 Holdings chief executive officer Fanuel Haikuti, and demanded the “immediate” termination of the subcontract.
Haiphene further instructed August 26 Logistics to “identify and contract a reputable and reliable subcontractor without delay” and to “strengthen your quality control measures.”
She noted that the incident was not isolated, stating, “Several similar complaints regarding this supplier have been received from other formations and units.”
While the letter did not specify the value of the subcontract, sources confirmed it was part of a multimillion-dollar tender for the supply of fresh and processed meat to military installations across Namibia.
In 2014, the ministry changed its food procurement policy, a decision that reportedly cost the government an extra N$2 million every month from September of 2013.
In the last financial year, the ministry received N$6.88 billion. About 63% was used for salaries, 23% for goods and services, and 14% for capital projects and infrastructure.
In this financial year, the ministry was allocated N$7.49 billion.
In response, Klein Windhoek Schlacherei’s representative, Wolfgang Eckwert, acknowledged the company was informed of the allegations but questioned the testing process.
“At this stage, we have not been provided with full details of the testing process,” he said, pointing to a lack of clarity on sample collection, handling, and analysis.
Eckwert said the company is “seeking clarity while cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.”
He insisted the company had not received other complaints about its products and stressed that the supply arrangement operated strictly on a month-to-month order basis rather than as a fixed subcontract.
Eckwert added that all deliveries were checked before distribution and said food safety remained their highest priority.
He also pledged that the company remained committed to addressing the matter transparently and responsibly.
