Windhoek, 24 July-(ANA)-Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba has suspended the country's defence force chief over alleged "irregularities", linked to possible kickbacks from a Chinese supplier.
"The decision to suspend Lieutenant General Martin Shalli stems from serious allegations of irregularities, which must be thoroughly investigated," a State House statement said.
"The suspension will facilitate an unhindered investigation."
No details were given on the probe, but the Namibian daily on Thursday reported possible links between Shalli and a Chinese company that supplies the Namibia Defence Force (NDF).
The newspaper reported that Shalli is accused of allegedly having millions of Namibian dollars transferred to him, through a third party, by the Chinese company.
The country's state prosecutor had recently travelled to China, among other countries, to finalise the investigation, the newspaper added.
The suspension is the second scandal involving Chinese firms to rock Namibia this month, following a graft probe involving a firm linked to the son of President Hu Jintao.(ANA)