President’s son dismisses IPC claims of dirty business

The president’s son is pushing back at allegations that a N$612-million solar project owes its existence to family connections. Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula has accused president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of personal involvement in a deal between her son, Nande Ndaitwah, and Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter. The deal was struck between Ndaitwah’s investment firm, Massaus Investments CC, and the Sinomine smelter to set up a 20MW solar power plant to supply the smelter with electricity.

“The parties intend to explore working together to set up the project, which is the establishment of a, minimum, 20-megawatt solar power plant and any other infrastructure required for the purpose of supplying electricity/energy to Sinomine at its premises,” the agreement between Sinomine and Ndaitwah states. Itula said in a press conference yesterday that the deal is based on using Farm Massaus for solar power – a farm that is owned by the president. “Was there a transfer, a lease, servitude, a family agreement or land-use consent?

Was it declared? A N$612-million project cannot be explained by vibes,” he said. Ndaitwah told The Namibian yesterday that Itula was confused about the specifics of the deal.