Namibia has officially clarified why it withdrew from its partnership with Botswana to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), citing concerns over financial irregularities in the bid process. The country’s former Minister of Sports, Agnes Tjongarero, hinted at questionable budget figures as a major factor behind Namibia’s exit from the bid.
Speaking in an interview covered by Namibian media, Tjongarero suggested that Botswana’s bid book budget lacked proper benchmarking, raising suspicions of inflated costs. While she did not outright accuse Botswana of financial misconduct, her remarks indicated that Namibia had serious doubts about the transparency and integrity of the budget figures presented.
Another key issue in the failed joint bid was the escalating service fees charged by Ruben Reddy Architects, a South African firm hired to conduct a facilities audit for the bid. Reports indicate that the firm continuously raised its fees, further straining Namibia’s already tight budget.
Namibia, which has been dealing with the economic impact of a severe drought, found it financially unfeasible to continue with the joint bid. The Namibian government cited economic priorities as a major reason for its withdrawal, stating that hosting AFCON would have required a significant financial commitment that the country simply could not afford at this time.
Corruption Investigation Launched
In response to Namibia’s withdrawal and the concerns raised, Botswana’s Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has launched an investigation into the bid process. A team of investigators is set to travel over 1,000 kilometers to Windhoek, Namibia, to examine the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the joint bid.
This investigation will seek to determine whether there was any financial mismanagement or unethical practices in the bid preparation process. Botswana has maintained that its budget was legitimate and justifiable, but Namibia’s departure has cast a shadow over the credibility of the bid.
As the investigation unfolds, more details may emerge about the true reasons behind Namibia’s withdrawal, potentially shedding more light on what many have alleged to be wide spread corruption during BDP’s tenure.
