The Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises earlier this year directed Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) Commissioner Sam Shivute to investigate himself following allegations of favouritism and nepotism lodged against him by a human resources officer at the agency.
In a letter issued by the ministry’s Executive Director, Shivute was instructed to treat the matter with confidentiality and diligence and to submit his findings by 30 June. The directive stemmed from a five-page complaint, much of it redacted, in which the HR officer accused Shivute of engaging in practices that undermined fairness and transparency at NamRA.
The allegations later spilled into the public arena when activist Michael Amushelelo amplified them on social media in May. Amushelelo accused Shivute of turning NamRA into his “personal cuca shop”, alleging that he fathered a child with his personal assistant and purchased a luxury vehicle worth N$3 million using taxpayers’ money.
Shivute has strongly rejected the claims, branding them false and damaging to his integrity. In retaliation, he filed a N$2 million defamation lawsuit against Amushelelo, saying the accusations not only tarnish his reputation but also threaten the credibility of NamRA.
The case has placed the revenue authority’s leadership under intense scrutiny, with questions arising about accountability and governance at one of the country’s most critical state institutions.
