Justicia Shipena
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani says she only officially learnt about the suspension of the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco)’s acting chief executive officer, Patrick Liebenberg, on the same day it was reported in the media.
“I read it in the newspapers, and I was informed telephonically on the day of the suspension, which was on Tuesday morning I think, 15 July 2025,” Zaamwani told the Windhoek Observer on Friday.
She said no reasons were provided at the time.
“They have not indicated the issue and said they are still investigating.”
Meatco suspended Liebenberg on 14 July pending an investigation into the disappearance of 400 cattle, valued at about N$7 million.
His term was weeks from ending.
The suspension came shortly after the resignation of board chairperson Sakaria Nghikembua, who stepped down citing interference and pressure to implement unlawful directives.
Zaamwani told Parliament last month that she had personally asked Nghikembua to stay until the ministry could meet with the board. However, his resignation had already been finalised.
Since then, the ministries of agriculture and finance, together with the attorney general’s office, have attempted to meet with the Meatco board.
Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah declined to comment on Friday but indicated that a statement would be issued this week.
Liebenberg, who also served as an executive for livestock procurement and production, was suspended a month after employees staged a protest.
An internal memo from deputy board chairperson Stephanie de Klerk confirmed that the suspension took effect on 14 July 2025.
The board said an independent investigation was needed and assured whistle-blowers of protection.
Kingsley Kwenani has been appointed as acting CEO from 20 July until 31 August 2025 or until an external secondment by the ministry of finance is finalised.
The investigation centres on cattle allegedly stolen from a Meatco feedlot operated by contractor David van der Linden, who was responsible for feeding and caring for the animals before slaughter.
Liebenberg had previously said a stock theft case had been opened against Van der Linden. His company, Linden Beef Feedlot, signed a contract with Meatco in 2023 during the term of former CEO Mwilima Mushokabanji.
The cattle were sourced from communal farmers south of the veterinary cordon fence. Under the contract, Van der Linden was responsible for their care. He was recently arrested in connection with a N$52 million cannabis plantation found at Farm Eendrag, located between Hochfeld and Osire.
Earlier this month, Liebenberg denied any employee involvement in the disappearance of the cattle from Linden Beef Feedlot.
Meatco confirmed it had been working with the feedlot since 2023. The facility, located in the Hochfeld area, houses communal cattle until they are transported to Meatco’s Windhoek abattoir.
Liebenberg said the partnership functioned well from 2023 until May 2025, with thousands of cattle processed. Monthly biological stock takes were conducted by the livestock procurement and finance departments.
These were included in financial reports submitted to the board. Annual physical stock counts and ear tag scans are conducted each year on 31 January by external auditors, finance staff, and livestock production personnel.
According to internal reports, stock verifications in February 2023, 2024, and 2025 recorded full counts.
The first sign of missing cattle appeared during an ear tag scan on 1 May 2025. Stock takes between 20 and 23 May confirmed the loss. The matter was reported to the Namibian Police stock theft unit in Okahandja.
Meatco has faced years of controversy over leadership and operations. In April 2025, Cabinet attempted to reinstate former CEO Mushokabanji without board approval.
A 2016 audit report also revealed that Meatco failed to implement strict measures to prevent the loss of approximately 1 440 cattle valued at N$8.2 million.
Meatco, a state-owned meat-processing and marketing company, was established to sell meat products on behalf of Namibian farmers both locally and internationally.
