The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has rejected President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's statement that her children family has no involvement in the oil and gas sector.
IPC President Panduleni Itula alleges that members of the Ndaitwah family are involved in the sector, particularly in upstream activities.
Dr. Itula addressed a media conference in Windhoek.
The IPC's claims follow President Nandi-Ndaitwah's recent statement that her children have no direct or indirect interests in the oil and gas sector. The President has since called for evidence to substantiate such allegations.
Dr. Itula said the President's son, Nande Ndaitwah, is the CEO and co-founder of Tradeport Namibia, trading in bonded diesel.
Fuel imports and wholesale distribution are also listed among its four principal business lines and operate from the Port of Lüderitz.
"The company became the anchor customer at Lüderitz without a competitive tender process and now claims a N$3 billion economic contribution, moving 80,000 tonnes of manganese per month. In May 2023, an Ernst & Young forensic audit reportedly found prima facie evidence of potential fraud and theft in Tradeport's relationship with TransNamib, including procurement conducted on behalf of the state entity in a manner that allegedly bypassed procurement laws. The report was not made public, and no investigation was launched by the Public Accounts Committee or the Anti-Corruption Commission."
Itula further alleged that another of the President's sons, Ndelitungapo Ndaitwah, co-founded Vaneli Foods CC, which is listed on the Millennium Investment Holdings website as a subsidiary of Millennium.
It reportedly owns a 30% stake in Validus Energy, a co-founder of Nasan Energies.
"Either the President was unaware of her son's business activities, or she knowingly misled the nation. Neither scenario is acceptable for a Head of State. The statement was also carefully worded. The denial referred to 'children', not 'family', and did not address the First Gentleman. It referred specifically to the 'oil and gas sector', not the broader petroleum value chain, including ports, fuel distribution, and logistics. It also denied 'interests' without defining the term."
The Presidency says it has taken note of the statements by the IPC leader.
But it points out that the Petroleum Amendment Bill currently before the National Assembly relates strictly to the Upstream Petroluem Industry, which is petroleum exploration and production activities.
These activities, the Presidency says are legally distinct from downstream petroleum operations such as fuel imports, transportation, storage and retail trade, regulated under the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.
The Presidency says such allegations by Dr. Itula are serious and would therefore reasonably require credible and verifiable evidence, supported by a clear paper trail which demonstrates ownership or beneficial interest in upstream licences.
State House therefore calls on Dr. Itula to substantiate the claims.
The Presidency re-iterates its commitment to transparency, responsible resource governance and evidence-based public discourse in safeguarding Namibia's emerging petroleum sector.