Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare said his office has received an accountability report relating to the loss of livestock at the Linden Beef Feedlot.

Dr. Ngurare subsequently directed the matter to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform for an investigation.

Approximately 400 cattle, valued at over N$7 million, went missing from a feedlot earlier this year.

The feedlot was managed by David van der Linden, who is one of the accused facing charges related to a dagga plantation near Okahandja and drug trafficking.

In response to a question raised by Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani regarding the former CEO's poor management, the premier said MEATCO's financial and structural challenges were not due to a single individual but rooted in long-standing structural and operational inefficiencies.

"Many of these contractual anomalies and unsustainable pricing arrangements came to light during his tenure. These disclosures provided a clearer understanding of MEATCO's challenges and positioned the institution to commence addressing them more productively. Consequently, we should commend the former CEO for the leadership he provided MEATCO under challenging circumstances, which are now public knowledge. And of course, we must also congratulate the interim MD of MEATCO."

The prime minister highlighted that the government remains committed to reforming and strengthening the performance of public enterprises.