NDN Staffer
WINDHOEK, Nov. 6 — Erkki Shikongo, one of five Namibian nationals accused of robbing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in February 2020, held an extravagant birthday celebration at his upscale lounge in Namibia on November 5, 2023. It’s alleged that the party was funded by the proceeds of the heist.
Shikongo acquired the Amanda Guest House lounge for N$800,000 shortly after the robbery. An internal document from FNB Namibia, revealed by Sunday World, indicates that Shikongo deposited N$1 million into his account on March 11, 2020, with a significant portion of the funds used for purchasing the guest house.
In response to the suspected origins of these funds, the bank has taken action by closing Shikongo’s account, along with the accounts of several associates linked to the Phala Phala robbery. The bank determined that the money in these accounts was connected to the heist.
Despite being under investigation for a serious crime, Shikongo spared no expense for his birthday celebration, featuring top DJs and attendees from across Namibia.
Shikongo’s extravagant birthday bash serves as a stark reminder of the impunity with which individuals accused of corruption and other crimes often operate in Namibia. It also underscores the fact that the Phala Phala robbery remains unsolved, with those responsible yet to face justice.
Namibian law enforcement agencies have traced over R10 million that the men transferred from South Africa into various bank accounts in Namibia over six months. However, cooperation from the South African government in the Namibian investigation has been lacking, and no arrests have been made in connection with the robbery.
President Ramaphosa has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the Phala Phala scandal, but opposition parties have called for an investigation. The newly appointed public protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, has cleared Ramaphosa of any wrongdoing, yet opposition parties have sought a review of her report.
The Phala Phala scandal represents a significant challenge for Ramaphosa’s government and tests the accountability of Namibian law enforcement agencies in addressing corruption allegations.
