In an unusual move announcing the sick leave, Namfisa's Corporate
Communications Officer, Ebben Kalondo, confirmed that the company is
currently the subject of two investigations conducted by Ernst &
Young and a Police investigation following a break-in at its offices.
Last week a local English weekly reported that Ritter had been provided
with 24-hour Police protection after he and his family's lives were
placed at risk when he suspended two senior managers suspected of
having alerted mainly Namibian-based, South African financial
institutions of imminent investigations.
Ritter and his family were reportedly placed under Police protection
after he informed the board that after he got wind of irregularities at
Namfisa from 2006 onwards his family's security had been at risk.
According to yesterday's press release, the authority's board of
directors, together with the CEO, agreed to grant Ritter one month's
leave for health reasons.
Asked what exactly Ernst and Young was investigating, Kalondo responded
that several allegations had been levelled at the authority, and that
these were now being looked into, with the findings of the
investigation expected by the end of this month.
In addition, a Police investigation is underway following a break-in at
Namfisa during which equipment apparently used for the recording of
voice data was allegedly removed from the Authority's offices by two of
its employees.
Kalondo also said that a third, internal investigation led by Wayne
Phillip has been incorporated with the Ernst & Young investigation.
According to recent media reports, a high-level forensic audit into
the awarding of information and technology consultancy jobs to Wayne
Phillip, said to run into hundreds of thousands of dollars, (had) also
raised eyebrows amongst members of the Namfisa Board.
Namfisa board chairman Rick Kukuri could not be reached for comment
about Ritter's leave, and whether the health reasons were related to
ongoing developments at the Authority.
Last week the Swapo Party Youth League called for the clarification of all the allegations made against Namfisa and its CEO.
At a press conference on Thursday, Veikko Nekundi, the SPYL's secretary
for economic affairs, said: We also call for the immediate suspension
of the CEO and the entire legal department at Namfisa as this will help
to ensure credible and speedy investigations.
Nekundi was referring to a report in a local weekly about an ongoing
internal investigation at Namfisa after some top officials were
suspended and are being probed for alleged misconduct.