Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Former Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga testified in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday that the ten-year fuel supply agreement between Namcor Petroleum Trading and Distribution Pty Ltd and Enercon Namibia was a commercially motivated deal intended to generate profits for both companies.
Mulunga, who is seeking bail following his arrest two weeks ago on charges related to corruption and money laundering, said the contract required Namcor Trading to supply Enercon Namibia PTY Ltd with a minimum of 700 000 litres of fuel per month.
“The investment would be paid back in four years, and the next six years would be for profits,” Mulunga said during cross-examination.
The agreement was signed by Namcor Trading on 18 July 2022 and Enercon on 15 July 2022. Mulunga described the arrangement as beneficial to both parties.
The state alleges irregularities surrounding this and other transactions involving Namcor and Enercon, which have led to ongoing investigations and charges against several individuals, including Mulunga and former Enercon directors.
During the hearing, Mulunga’s lawyer, Francois Bangamwabo, clarified that Mulunga signed the asset purchase agreement not as managing director of Namcor, but in his capacity as director of Namcor Trading and Distribution Pty Ltd, a subsidiary company.
“There is confusion about Mulunga negotiating and signing the asset purchase agreement as the managing director of Namcor, which is not true. He signed it as director of Namcor Trading and Distribution Pty Ltd,” Bangamwabo told the court.
The defence further argued that Namcor Trading operates independently, financing itself without government funds, and therefore cannot be classified as a public body under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act.
The lawyer also claimed that the arrest and investigation of Mulunga and other accused persons were not justified or conducted in the public interest, as the facts underlying the charges were already subject to disciplinary action and pending court processes.
Mulunga testified that he served as managing director of Namcor from 2015 until his dismissal in October 2024. Before that, he worked for over 12 years as a petroleum commissioner at the Ministry of Mines and Energy. A labour dispute over his dismissal is before the Office of the Labour Commissioner.
The court hearing continues.
