KANDARA CASE: A NATION WAITS FOR JUSTICE AMID CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS AND TRAGIC DEATH

By: Gideon Kapuka

The case of Rufus Mutunga Kandara, the former CEO of Avid Investment Corporation, remains one of Namibia's most controversial and heart-wrenching chapters in its ongoing battle against corruption. Accused of orchestrating a N$30 million fraud scheme involving the Social Security Commission (SSC), Kandara died in what was officially ruled a suicide. However, lingering suspicions surrounding his death leave many questions unanswered.

Kandara’s tragic demise has cast a long shadow over the nation, fueling a relentless quest for justice. As CEO of Avid Investment Corporation, he was accused of concocting a scheme to swindle N$30 million from the SSC with the assistance of politically connected individuals. He allegedly conspired with influential figures to divert public funds into private hands. The case not only drew national attention but also implicated high-ranking government officials, exposing corruption at the highest levels.

At the heart of the scandal was an alleged scheme in which state resources were misappropriated by high-ranking officials, some reportedly connected to former president Sam Nujoma. Although widely reported at the time, the investigation lost momentum, and Kandara’s death abruptly halted further inquiries, leaving many questions unresolved.

The events of August 24, 2005, marked a turning point. Kandara was arrested on charges related to the N$30 million fraud that had rocked the SSC. Just hours later, he was found dead in front of the Windhoek Police Station, having reportedly shot himself. The timing, just before he was set to testify in court, has fueled widespread skepticism about the official ruling.

Although an inquest in 2023 reaffirmed the ruling of suicide, many Namibians remain unconvinced. The high-profile nature of the case, coupled with persistent allegations of political interference, has led many to believe that Kandara may have been silenced to prevent damning revelations about the fraud scheme and its beneficiaries.

A Facebook comment posted two years ago by Kervin Konjeni on The Namibian Newspaper page, following a statement by then-Inspector General of the Namibian Police Sebastian Ndeitunga further raised doubts:

“Tatekulu Ndeitunga, just tell us who pulled the trigger that ended Lazarus Kandara's life. Kandara was doing everything to cooperate and testify in court. Even those of us, dismissed as foolish, cannot accept that he killed himself, especially since he came here alone from South Africa. He was taken home to fetch his medicine and blanket; he could have shot himself in private, yet he did not. Why, then, in front of a police station under heavy guard? Moreover, the gun was found on his right arm, despite him being left-handed. The angle of the bullet holes does not match, evidence of a shot fired from an elevated position.This is not an event to be reminisced about but one to be buried in shame.”

For Kandara’s family, the fight for justice is far from over. Years after his death, they continue to bear the emotional scars of their loss and the pain of unanswered questions. “We never got closure. We still don’t know the truth,” a family member, speaking on condition of anonymity, lamented. “Those responsible must be held accountable, and we need to know why Kandara was silenced before he could testify.”

The passing of Sam Nujoma has further fueled speculation about the case. Some believe his departure may signal a turning point, opening avenues for renewed investigation that were previously blocked by political interference. Yet, many Namibians remain skeptical, fearing that deep ties between the scandal and powerful figures within the ruling party may once again allow the matter to be swept aside. Will justice prevail, or will this chapter remain shrouded in secrecy?

A Glimpse at Corruption Since Independence

In addition to the Kandara case, several other high-profile corruption scandals have rocked Namibia since independence. It is estimated that around 70% of these cases date back to the late Sam Nujoma era, revealing a long history of opaque practices now coming to light. As if the curtains have finally been opened, transparency is demanded by a public that refuses to accept hidden corruption. Notable cases include:

1. 2007 FARM DEAL CONTROVERSY: Ombudsman John Walters revealed that farms bought and later sold by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and her husband Onesmus were originally offered to the government for purchase.

2. 2014 FISHROT SCANDAL: A massive bribery and kickback scheme within Namibia's fishing industry that implicated several high-level officials and industry executives in a multi-million-dollar corruption network.

3. 2005 SOCIAL SECURITY KANDARA Case: The scandal involving a N$30 million fraud scheme that led to Kandara’s controversial death.

4. 2001 GIPF SCANDAL: Alleged misappropriation of N$660 million through fraudulent activities dating back to 2001.

5. 2013 AGRICULTURE MINISTRY FRAUD: A massive fraud investigation uncovering the misappropriation of N$100 million within the agriculture ministry.

These cases, among others, underscore a persistent pattern of corruption that has undermined public trust for decades.

Opposition leaders and civil society organizations continue to call for renewed investigations. “We cannot allow these matters to remain buried,” said Opposition Leader, a vocal critic of Nujoma's administration. “The deaths and misappropriations should not be footnotes in our history, they must be fully investigated, and the truth must come to light.”

Despite public outcry and growing calls for transparency, many question whether justice will ever be served. Political analysts suggest that while new leadership may adopt a different stance on these sensitive issues, immense political will and true transparency are needed to finally address these longstanding corruption scandals.

The Namibian public remains divided. Some believe that after years of alleged cover-ups, this may finally be the moment for truth to emerge. Others fear that these cases will once again be relegated to an unresolved chapter in Namibia’s struggle against corruption and political influence.

What is clear is that Kandara’s family, many Namibians, and international observers continue to demand answers, and the pursuit of justice for Kandara, and for all victims of corruption, endures.