The Anti-Corruption Commission has opted to remain tight-lipped on whether it will pursue any investigations against Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo and Mining Commissioner, Erasmus Shivolo.
The two have been implicated for allegedly benefiting from a N$50 million bribery scandal by awarding fraudulent mining licenses to undeserving firms.
The anti-graft agency opted only to confirm that investigations are underway against Alweendo's former technical advisor, Raphael Muyamba, who has since resigned.
The highly-sought after license in question was initially awarded to Karolwa Mining Enterprises, but was not renewed upon expiry, and lay idle until its recent awarding to Orange River Exploration and Mining, on the recommendation of Minister Tom Alweendo's then technical advisor, Muyamba.
Orange River is owned by Muyaba's cousin.
ACC's Chief Public Relations Officer, Josefina Nghituwamata, indicated that they will also investigate unspecified individuals and mining firms that have been corruptly awarded mining licenses and are also on the radar of the anti-graft watchdog.
"Our investigation is not only limited to the alleged N$50 million bribe as it has been circulating in the media lately, but definitely it will stretch to the whole process that culminated in the awarding of this particular EPL to the mine in question. Also, possibly, the investigation will want to look at whether there were other entities considered and how those other entities were eliminated."
Alweendo confirmed that in order to secure the license, Orange River Mining received financing of N$50 million from a Chinese mining firm, Xinfeng Investments.
That development followed a failed attempt to secure a deal with another company.
However, Karolwa Mining Enterprises now claims bribes were paid to block the renewal of its license to instead award it to Muyamba's cousin's firm, Orange River Mining.
The ACC's Nghituwamata appealed for calm, saying corruption cases are typically complex in nature and require patience and the tying up of any loose ends before justice can be sought.
"Basically all aspects relating to the 50-million bribe will be looked into and it will only be the results of our investigations as to who and who is involved and investigated further, but at this moment, as I said, we do not want to delve deeper into the case because, as we know, sometimes you reveal information that in a way interferes with the investigation at hand."
Meanwhile, Alweendo addressed a media briefing, stressing that he has not received any kickbacks from the alleged N$50 million bribery purse, describing the allegations as malicious and devoid of any truth.