Suspect in alleged N$2-million weighbridge theft arrested

An ongoing investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into allegations of corrupt practices by a staff member of the Roads Authority (RA) and a supplier has led to the arrest of a suspect on Tuesday.

The ACC raided the company Etango Petroleum at Walvis Bay last week and seized a weighbridge belonging to the RA allegedly installed at the company without authorisation.

This was confirmed by ACC spokesperson Josefina Nghituwamata.

As part of the investigative process, significant progress has been made that led to the arrest of a private individual, she said.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Windhoek’s Magistrate Court on Wednesday. The arrest, she said, marks an important step in the ACC’s commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in all matters involving public institutions. The investigation remains active, and further updates will be shared with the public as developments unfold, she said.

According to investigations, it is alleged that an invoice in an amount of N$2.3 million for the supply of a weighbridge to the Roads Authority was corruptly certified, indicating that the goods or services were received or delivered, while that was not the case.

Following the acquisition of the new weighbridge, an old weighbridge was allegedly refurbished by the same supplier for an amount of N$264 960 and reinstalled at Walvis Bay Weighbridge during September 2021.

Upon the delivery of the new weighbridge during May 2022, the old weighbridge was allegedly corruptly removed from the premises of the Roads Authority under the pretext that it was being transported to the Roads Authority in Windhoek for storage.

Instead of being transported to Windhoek for storage, the weighbridge was allegedly diverted and installed at Etango Petroleum, without such an asset being disposed of by the Roads Authority.

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