DTA calls for NBC, August 26 probe
The DTA has called on Ombudsman John Walters to launch full-scale investigations into the affairs of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and the NDF's business wing, August 26 Holdings.
This follows the NBC's failure to pay its employees' medical aid fund contributions to Namibia Medical Care (NMC) despite deducting it from their salaries. The arrears amount to N$15 million.
It has also come to light that the broadcaster has failed to pay over money deducted from staff salaries for housing and vehicle allowances, Social Security Commission (SSC) contributions and income tax.
In a statement issued yesterday DTA treasurer Nico Smit accused the NBC of “fraud” and “maladministration”.
“By providing staff with pay slips which indicated that such deductions had been made NBC intentionally and fraudulently created the impression that contributions for medical insurance were made, when in fact the monies deducted in this respect were used for other purposes.
“This is not only a gross violation of the trust of the employees and their employment agreements, but also amounts to theft or fraud. The fact that one is here being confronted with maladministration and/or misuse of public funds is not in dispute,” said Smith.
August 26
The opposition party also took issue with August 26, which is a 100% state-owned commercial entity under the Ministry of Defence. It is involved in supplying military equipment, diamond mining, textile manufacturing, logistics and transport, medical supplies, agriculture and construction.
The DTA asked why the company had failed to table audited financial reports in the National Assembly as required by law despite the fact that its subsidiaries had been the recipients of multi-million-dollar government contracts.
“This situation casts a dark shadow over Namibia's perceived and actual efforts at ensuring accountability and transparency in governance and management of public resources and public institutions.
“What is more, this practice has also created unfairness in the local economy – private sector firms cannot compete effectively when the government hands itself tenders, as there is an inherent conflict of interest that underlies this relationship,” said Smit.
Walters confirmed receipt of the request, saying that his office first would have to establish whether such investigation fell within the ombudsman's jurisdiction.
“I have informed the party that it may not be an easy one, it may be complex, but once I have ensured the collective wisdom of my staff then we will proceed,” he said.
JEMIMA BEUKES
This follows the NBC's failure to pay its employees' medical aid fund contributions to Namibia Medical Care (NMC) despite deducting it from their salaries. The arrears amount to N$15 million.
It has also come to light that the broadcaster has failed to pay over money deducted from staff salaries for housing and vehicle allowances, Social Security Commission (SSC) contributions and income tax.
In a statement issued yesterday DTA treasurer Nico Smit accused the NBC of “fraud” and “maladministration”.
“By providing staff with pay slips which indicated that such deductions had been made NBC intentionally and fraudulently created the impression that contributions for medical insurance were made, when in fact the monies deducted in this respect were used for other purposes.
“This is not only a gross violation of the trust of the employees and their employment agreements, but also amounts to theft or fraud. The fact that one is here being confronted with maladministration and/or misuse of public funds is not in dispute,” said Smith.
August 26
The opposition party also took issue with August 26, which is a 100% state-owned commercial entity under the Ministry of Defence. It is involved in supplying military equipment, diamond mining, textile manufacturing, logistics and transport, medical supplies, agriculture and construction.
The DTA asked why the company had failed to table audited financial reports in the National Assembly as required by law despite the fact that its subsidiaries had been the recipients of multi-million-dollar government contracts.
“This situation casts a dark shadow over Namibia's perceived and actual efforts at ensuring accountability and transparency in governance and management of public resources and public institutions.
“What is more, this practice has also created unfairness in the local economy – private sector firms cannot compete effectively when the government hands itself tenders, as there is an inherent conflict of interest that underlies this relationship,” said Smit.
Walters confirmed receipt of the request, saying that his office first would have to establish whether such investigation fell within the ombudsman's jurisdiction.
“I have informed the party that it may not be an easy one, it may be complex, but once I have ensured the collective wisdom of my staff then we will proceed,” he said.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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