The case of Namibian Metals, which wanted to establish a silicon mine near Omaruru but had its licence withdrawn, had a sequel in Parliament. Attorney General Pendukeni Ithana told members yesterday that investor Barry Keyter did not make any progress with the project in almost 15 years and the ministry of mines and energy withdrew the exploration and mining licences from his company. This was already done in 2001, Ithana explained.

Keyter sued the government for allegedly forfeiting the licences "illegally," but lost the court case a few weeks ago. According to legal circles, Keyter will appeal in the Supreme Court against this judgement.

The Canadian investor who is based in South Africa, has sent various letters to African heads of states and the EU as well as Transparency International, an organisation that monitors corruption in countries, claiming high ranking government officials in Namibia and relatives of President Nujoma were apparently involved in an enterprise called Ondjoze Mining which was allocated the said licences almost immediately after Keyter lost them.

According to Attorney General Ithana, Keyter was on a revenge campaign because he was "frustrated" when the licences were withdrawn.

Keyter even sent letters to all members of Parliament in November 2003 and again a few weeks ago, urging them to call for an impeachment of President Sam Nujoma. In those letters, Keyter accused the former mining minister of alleged corruption and severely criticised the police for not investigating the case after he had laid criminal charges against various high ranking officials, for causing the loss of the mining licences in order to favour the black empowerment company, Ondjoze Mining.