Minister Ericah Shafuda has denied that the Finance Ministry instructed the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) to investigate its Commissioner, Sam Shivute, over alleged management-related issues within the agency.

Instead, Shafuda says the NamRA board was instructed to investigate the matter.

The matter surfaced in the National Assembly today when an MP of the Independent Patriots for Change, Micheal Mwashindange, questioned the alleged instructions by the Ministry of Finance.

In response, the Finance Minister denied the allegations, stating that no responsible ministry would let someone carry out an investigation on themselves, saying the board of the revenue agency was tasked to do the investigation.

"No responsible government will do that, especially when you have a board. So I asked the board to investigate, right? So when the outcome is known, then I will share it."

However, documents in support of a High Court civil case in which Shivute is suing activist Michael Amushelelo contain a letter from the Finance Ministry's Executive Director addressed to Shivute.

In the letter issued earlier this year, Michael Humavindu instructed Shivute to undertake a prompt and thorough investigation into the matter, requesting that the findings be submitted to the ministry by the 30th of June.

Shivute is suing Amushelelo for N$2 million over social media statements in which Amushelelo accused him of misconduct and misuse of public funds. 

NamRA spokesperson, Tonateni Shidutu, said they are busy consulting on the matter and will give a response tomorrow.