Controversial businessman Tonata Shiimi organised an expo on TransNamib’s premises in Windhoek on Saturday, despite allegedly failing to pay rent for over two years.

Shiimi operates a lounge, restaurant and bar from the building. Ministers and senior government employees allegedly frequent the spot. This, Nampa understands, has struck fear into TransNamib’s top brass to take action against Shiimi, allegedly one of many among TransNamib’s tenants failing to pay rent.

“We have people all over the country failing to pay rent. The problem is, our managers do not coordinate with us [ordinary employees] and only act when it is convenient for them or too late,” said an employee who preferred anonymity.

The employee said tenants in many cases argue that TransNamib is a public entity, thus belongs to them.

When Nampa arrived at the TransNamib station parking lot on Saturday around 11h00, exhibitors and traders could be seen preparing for a major event.

But the expo was abruptly stopped by Daniel David, TransNamib’s property manager.

“If City Police comes here, they will hold TransNamib to account because we allowed people on our premises to conduct business activities like this which is in contravention with the road traffic regulations,” he said.

Shortly after arriving, David met with Shiimi, to have a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ as the latter attempted to salvage the situation. Nampa was asked to excuse the two.

Before that, Shiimi asked how his event and the imminent eviction were in the public’s interest.

After their discussion, David was firm in his resolve.

“They must pack and go,” he said.

“The tenants are taking advantage of us [TransNamib] because we are a public company. That’s why you see us taking some of these actions to evict people by all means available,” he said.

“It is not the first. They have events here every weekend because they think we are sleeping,” said another employee.

TransNamib’s property division is now going after every tenant that owes the institution.

“He [Shiimi] is not paying rent…on top of that, he is doing that [hosting trade fairs],” David said.

Details around how much Shiimi owes TransNamib were not available at the time of publication.

Before its N.dollars 2.6 billion loan was approved recently, TransNamib was on the brink of collapse.

Shiimi is no stranger to controversy. He is linked to the botched Kora All Africa Music Awards which cost taxpayers over N.dollars 23.5 million meant for promoting the country as a tourist destination.

The event never took place.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency