Renthia Kaimbi
Interim managing director of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), Maureen Hinda-Mbuende, says her removal is linked to her resistance to push to sell public assets.
She claims she was removed for standing in the way of a plan to privatise 18 Namcor service stations.
According to her, the proposed sale stems from a 2022 decision taken by the Cabinet committee on economic affairs, under former finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi. She argues that the committee was misled by incorrect data regarding the performance of the service stations.
On Sunday, Namcor announced the end of Hinda-Mbuende’s tenure and the appointment of Mtundeni Ndafyaalako as acting managing director from 1 March 2026, pending the appointment of a substantive MD.
Hinda-Mbuende said she received notice that her contract offer lapsed while she was on official business in Algeria.
“I received the notice while in Algeria on official business. I have an active and signed contract for a three-month extension, whose terms I was not in agreement with. I elevated the matter to the minister and was removed while awaiting his response,” she said.
She maintains that she did not decline the offer, despite the board’s position that she failed to accept the offer by the deadline.
“The board assumed that I declined the offer and I can categorically state that I did not decline the offer. I simply elevated my grievances to the minister and was waiting on his intervention and response. But I must say, this is unprofessional conduct by the board,” she said.
Sources close to Namcor say tensions between Hinda-Mbuende and the board revolve around the future of the 18 fuel stations. She was reportedly seen as an obstacle because of her opposition to the sale.
“There were ambitious projections made about the service stations to justify the initial investment by Namcor. The cabinet committee was, however, misled that the service stations were not profitable because the variance report was negative. But 16 of those 18 service stations are making profit,” a source told the Windhoek Observer.
Hinda-Mbuende said the board had already identified an external company to advise on the sale.
“Those scrambling for public assets are clearly not happy. The board already identified a company to advise in selling off the service stations. As a result, I am seen as an obstacle against the privatisation of state properties,” she said.
The board has given a different explanation for her exit.
In a letter dated 27 February 2026 and signed by board chairperson Florentia Amueje, the board stated that a three-month contract offer was extended to Hinda-Mbuende on 3 February 2026.
She was required to sign and return the offer by 9 February 2026, a deadline she had requested.
“No signed acceptance of the offer letter and the fixed-term contract was received from you by the Board, either on the 9th of February 2026 or subsequently,” Amueje wrote.
“Thus, the board accepted that you have declined the offer and the offer has lapsed… Your six-month fixed-term employment contract with Namcor therefore expires on 28 February 2026.”
Before her contract expired, Hinda-Mbuende wrote to the Minister of industries, mines and energy, Modestus Amutse, on 7 February 2026, raising concerns about her treatment.
In her letter, she alleged “continuous discrimination, harassment, unfair treatment, and violation of company policy”.
She objected to the terms of the proposed three-month contract, saying the remuneration offered was lower than that of her executive subordinates. She argued this violated Namcor policy and directives under the Public Enterprises Governance Act.
The Windhoek Observer has learnt that Amutse allegedly advised the board not to appoint an acting managing director until the grievances were resolved. Amutse had not responded to questions at the time of publication.
Despite this, the board proceeded with a new appointment.
