Education Ministry probes starvation claims

Education Ministry Permanent Secretary Alfred Ilukena says they are looking into claims that primary and secondary school learners are starving in hostels situated in the two Kavango regions. Ilukena told Namibian Sun yesterday that although his office has not yet been officially briefed by the respective regional departments, he was told about the issue on Wednesday. Ilukena hinted that the ministry’s programme and quality assurance office may look into the matter, since government school hostels fall under its jurisdiction. “Those regions are problematic. However, on the current matter I am not well informed, but was made aware of this issue yesterday (Wednesday). I was also out of the office on official duty, but I believe the relevant office is looking into it,” Ilukena said. Namibian Sun reported on Wednesday that thousands of pupils from 17 primary and secondary school hostels have been severely affected by food shortages. Namibian Sun reported that Xuantium Catering Services, a South African registered company, which is contracted to deliver food supplies, is behind schedule. The food shortage started three weeks ago and bread and other essential foods supplied by the company have been irregular - affecting hundreds of learners housed in different hostels. The company’s warehouse manager, Henk Coetzee, blamed the food shortages on malpractices by management, and added that this culminated in the suspension of one of an employee, Agripa Haindongo. Yesterday, Haindongo dismissed claims that he was suspended for theft and demanded that Coetzee and Xantium Catering Services apologise for tarnishing his name. Haindongo said he has never been involved in dubious dealings that could bring the company into disrepute. “I want an apology, because what he (Coetzee) said is not true. If a charge was opened against me, why have I not been arrested? I am still on the company payroll. My name has been tarnished through false claims in the media, and I demand that they correct such statements or I will take steps against them,” Haindongo said. At the most affected schools, the food shortages have resulted in learners having only one meal per day. WINDHOEK FAITH SANKWASA