The Northern Regional Electricity Distributor, known as Nored, has faced internal scrutiny after its acting chief executive ordered the restoration of power to a hotel linked to one of its own board members. According to The Namibian, acting CEO Toivo Shovaleka instructed an engineer to unblock the meter at Princess Hotel in Oshikango, a property held by Epic Trading Enterprises. This business is registered or linked to Simeon Uahengo, a Nored board director. The move came despite the hotel owing the electricity distributor N$325,000, a debt that had prompted the initial disconnection.
The sequence of events began on 29 September when Nored engineer Manfried Uvanga blocked the meter, citing an ongoing investigation into the installation. Nine days later, on 2 October, Shovaleka issued a letter questioning the engineer's authority to block the supply. In the document, Shovaleka argued that the engineer lacked a valid procedural basis for the action. "I have no issue with the investigation of the installation," Shovaleka wrote in the letter, as reported by The Namibian. He further dismissed the notion that he had been told to block the meter, arguing that any directive must be procedurally sound.
Shovaleka, who was appointed acting CEO on 23 September following the suspension of CEO Silvester Wayiti, invoked his new authority to demand immediate reconnection. He requested written proof that the order had been executed. Uahengo, who joined the board in 2024, did not respond to requests for comment via WhatsApp or email, despite reading messages and receiving multiple calls. Board director Johannes Uushini offered a brief reaction, stating that he does not comment on things he does not know.
Shovaleka defended the decision by asserting that a customer is a customer, regardless of their board status. He noted that in his 24 years in the industry, he had rarely seen debts accumulate on prepaid meters. This stance contrasts with Nored's recent aggressive approach to debt collection, where the company disconnected customers in arrears for 30 days or more across the Kunene to Zambezi regions. Spokesperson Simon Lukas confirmed this broader strategy, stating it was necessary for Nored to continue delivering its mandate. The company distributes power to seven northern regions and parts of Kunene, but has experienced prolonged internal conflicts.