The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) says it has not yet opened a formal investigation into the unfolding scandal at Meatco, where former acting CEO Patrick Liebenberg faces 26 disciplinary charges, including allegations that he misappropriated over N$5.5 million.

ACC director general Paulus Noa said the commission is aware of the allegations but has not received an official complaint that could trigger a criminal probe.

“We are not aware of any report that has been filed with the ACC at the moment," Noa told Namibian Sun yesterday.

"All we know is what we are reading in the media about the charges."

He added that the ACC is not investigating the allegations against Liebenberg.

“We are just following the developments.”

Internal process first

Reports published this week revealed that a disciplinary notice issued by Meatco accuses Liebenberg, who previously served as the executive for livestock production and procurement, of misappropriating company funds intended for cattle producers and falsifying records of livestock transactions.

The charges also include allegations of fraud, forgery and sabotage linked to the disappearance of about 900 cattle from the parastatal.

Noa stressed that the ACC cannot launch a criminal investigation without sufficient grounds.

“Sometimes, it is not advisable to rush into something when you don’t really have concrete evidence that it merits a criminal investigation,” he explained.

For now, the commission is waiting for Meatco’s internal disciplinary process to run its course.

“Let them do the internal investigation and deal with the internal charges they are facing. If there is something that really needs to be brought to the attention of the ACC, that will be done,” Noa said.

Noa said the commission is keeping a close eye on the situation and could intervene later if evidence of criminal conduct emerges.

“If there is a need for the ACC to be roped in, or for us to initiate an investigation," he said, then the commission is ready to do so.

Public misperceptions

Noa rejected comparisons with high-profile investigations at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), which resulted in arrests linked to alleged corruption at the national oil company.

“You may not know how long it took us before we got into the nitty-gritty of Namcor. There were internal investigations first. It was not something that was made public today and tomorrow the ACC was already involved,” Noa said.

He added that the public often misunderstands how corruption investigations develop, noting that complex cases require time to determine whether criminal conduct actually occurred.

“For us, we have to get into something when there is real merit to do so. It is not for us to go and dig in the bushes for now."

Case lodged with police

Meanwhile, Meatco’s interim CEO Albertus Aochamub said the company’s board is not involved in disciplinary proceedings against employees below the level of the chief executive.

“In terms of the Meatco policy, board members are not involved in disciplinary actions and proceedings against staff members below the level of the CEO,” Aochamub confirmed.

He explained that the disciplinary process against Liebenberg was initiated after he assumed full responsibility for the role in September 2025.

The board will only be informed once the internal process has been concluded, Aochamub added.

He also confirmed that a criminal complaint related to the matter has already been lodged with the Namibian Police.

nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na