IPC demands works ED’s recusal from Namibia Air talks

Sostenus Wilherm

The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has demanded the immediate removal of the executive director in the ministry of works and transport, Jonas Sheelongo, from all negotiations and planning structures involved in establishing Namibia’s proposed new national airline, Namibia Air.

The party warned that his alleged record at Air Namibia raises serious governance and public interest concerns.

IPC shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula made the demand, calling for Sheelongo to recuse himself from steering committees, negotiation panels, strategic planning bodies and technical advisory roles linked to the Namibia Air.

Kalangula’s call comes as the government advances plans for the new airline. The ministry has confirmed that discussions with Ethiopian Airlines and other aviation stakeholders are underway, although no binding agreement has been concluded.

The government has said the engagements are intended to identify a financially and commercially viable model while avoiding the mistakes that led to Air Namibia’s collapse.

When contacted for a response, Sheelongo told the Windhoek Observer that he had not seen Kalangula’s statement and did not have time to read it at that moment.

“I have not read the IPC statement, nor do I have the time now. Which Deloitte investigation are they referring to and when was it published?” Sheelongo asked.

In his statement Kalangula indicated that the Deloitte investigation referred to by IPC was conducted in relation to Air Namibia in 2014, when Sheelongo served as the airline’s technical and operations general manager.

He argues that placing the executive director in a position to influence fleet acquisition, aircraft leasing, contracts and operational planning creates an unacceptable governance risk.

“Placing an executive implicated in severe financial, operational, and governance irregularities at the former national carrier at the forefront of negotiating contracts and planning a new state aviation entity is an unacceptable risk to public funds and an insult to Namibian taxpayers,” Kalangula said.

According to Kalangula, the Deloitte investigation cited Sheelongo in connection with alleged gross insubordination, breaches of internal procedures and actions taken without the required authority.

Kalangula specifically refers to the transition from Airbus A340 to A330 aircraft, the inspection and procurement process involving Airbus A319 aircraft, a Frankfurt catering supplier contract and the management of an onboard duty-free contract.

On the A319 matter, IPC alleges that the Deloitte report implicated the former general manager in signing a contract without the necessary authority.

The party also alleges that the investigation identified failures to comply with Air Namibia’s Financial Delegations Policy and Purchasing Policy.

“These findings raise serious questions about the suitability of entrusting the same individual with responsibilities involving fleet acquisition, aircraft leasing, maintenance agreements and major commercial contracts for a new national carrier,” Kalangula said.

The controversy comes in light of Air Namibia’s substantial financial liabilities. At the time of its liquidation in 2021, the airline’s liabilities were reported to be close to N$5.4 billion, with the government also having faced significant guaranteed debt and aircraft-related obligations.

Kalangula says the lessons from Air Namibia should translate into stronger governance safeguards for the proposed replacement carrier.

“Negotiating international aircraft leases, maintenance agreements, and supply contracts requires impeccable integrity and legal authority,” the statement said.

The party is also demanding comprehensive background checks on people involved in Namibia Air and wants the government to publicly disclose how aircraft selection, leasing arrangements, procurement and governance structures will be handled.

The ministry has previously said a technical committee was established to prepare for the new airline and that no executive or leadership appointments had been made for Namibia Air.

Kalangula said parliament and the public were also still awaiting an official update from the Anti-Corruption Commission on irregularities and statutory violations allegedly highlighted in the forensic investigation.

“The Namibian public cannot afford another cycle of costly mismanagement and unauthorized executive decision making,” he said.

IPC said it would continue monitoring the establishment of Namibia Air, insisting that public funds must be protected and that the new airline should be built around transparency, accountability and sound governance.