Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 25 February 2010
PERMANENT Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport, George Simataa, allegedly awarded Professor Lovemore Mbigi his supervisor in his PHD studies in Aviation at a Zimbabwean university a Ministry consultancy tender valued at over N$2 million, Informanté can reveal.
When approached by Informanté, Simataa refused to answer questions on how it would influence his passing of the PhD he was being supervised by the beneficiary of the N$2 million tender.
Informanté is also reliably informed that Simataa is studying with Zimbabwe’s National University of Science and Technology after he failed his studies with an unnamed South African university.
Simataa asked Informanté to send questions to his office, warning that he would respond at a time convenient to him as he had “better things to do”.
“I have better things to do. I don’t work for you,” he said before hanging up his phone.
According to impeccable sources within the Ministry, Simataa awarded Mbigi the tender without advertising for it to help train 1,517 Ministry of Works and Transport employees on the Performance Management System.
When Informanté contacted Mbigi on the pretence that the reporter was also a PhD student and had been referred to him by Simataa the Professor confirmed that he was supervising Simataa in his PhD studies.
“Yes I am his supervisor,” Mbigi said.
Under the contract, Mbigi is paid N$40,000 per training session and in total he nets a cool N$2,040 million tax free which is deposited in a Standard Bank Limited account number 421 448 148 under the name Nehanda Management Consultants with the proof of every payment faxed to a South African number 011 792 7909.
In addition, the Ministry pays for all of Mbigi’s expenses including N$49,440 for accommodation, N$3,243 for his return air ticket and N$18,639.27 for the daily rental for a Toyota Avensis (GRN 1296) for use for 89 days he would be in the country with the total figure adding up to N$2,111,322.
The sources within the Ministry questioned why Simataa awarded the contract to his PhD supervisor.
“Does it mean there are no competent Namibians who could have got that consultancy contract? The contract was never advertised and it’s mere corruption on the part of Simataa to award his university supervisor that contract. Now we don’t know whether Simataa gave Mbigi the contract so that he could help him pass his studies,” the source who requested to speak on condition of anonymity said.
Minister of Works Helmut Angula said he was not aware that Mbigi was Simataa’s supervisor in his PhD studies.
“I am not aware, I don’t have any details about the contract but I know they are on going training workshops on Performance Management System Training. I also don’t have information on whether the contract was ever advertised or not, I need to consult,” Angula said.
According to correspondences in possession of Informanté between Simataa and senior management in the Ministry, the Ministry was selected by Secretary to Cabinet Frans Kapofi to implement the Performance Management System.
“As a result, it is of paramount importance that staff on operational, supervisory and managerial levels be exposed to the Performance Management System. Capable consultant (Professor Lovemore Mbigi) was appointed to conduct the Performance Management System training,” a letter written 13 January 2010 signed by Simataa, Under Secretary in the Ministry, Phillip Amunyela, Deputy Director, Finance, Chris Mugandjela and Director of Administration, Christo Visagie, says.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Kazenambo says Mulongeni should keep his nonsense
Written by Faith Sankwasa and Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 25 February 2010
STEADFAST Swapo MP Kazenambo Kazenambo has hit out at the state broadcaster’s One-on-One presenter, Dr Ben Mulongeni in what seemed a backlash against Kazenambo’s resistance against the tribal witch-hunt and ostracism of suspected Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) members in Government.
The steely Deputy Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development, Kazenambo did not fear to risk his Ministerial career after he publicly lashed out at his Minister, Jerry Ekandjo for allegedly orchestrating a purge against Kwanyama speaking civil servants in his Ministry who are suspected to be RDP.
Following the Deputy Minister’s public disapproval of his Minister’s tribal witch-hunt, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) appears to have set him up, questioning his anti-systemic ideology, including his call for a non-Oshiwambo President.
The One-on-One interview, ironically, created a huge public appeal, attracting a large Facebook following, with some describing Kazenambo as “a man of dignity.”
“That man... I like his character as a man of dignity, honesty, very straightforward. They thought they can (disclose) to the nation. Guess what! Kazenambo was just one step ahead. I enjoyed last night and wish they can repeat the interview,” said one Facebook fan.
Said another fan, “I can prognosticate the future by seeing honourable Kazenambo Kazenambo being the first non-Oshiwambo President.”
“Hmm... Eish then we would see and hear freedom of speech at its best,” replied another fan.
In an interview with Informanté, Kazenambo criticised Mulongeni and told him “to keep his nonsense to himself”.
Kazenambo threatened to quit his Deputy Ministerial post after clashing with Ekandjo over a tribal witch-hunt targeting civil servants suspected to be Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) supporters.
“I have three heritages, I am Kazenambo Kazenambo. I am Namibian by descent and I am a Swapo member. Nobody can push me out of this party. I volunteered to join Swapo and I will voluntarily leave Swapo. Mulongeni did not give me my citizenship. If he came into the interview to put me in a tight spot and paint this bad boy picture of me, he failed.
“I didn’t beg to be a Namibian citizen. I am no puppet of anyone and I am not buying my citizenship. Mulongeni must keep his nonsense to himself. My Swapo heritage, I didn’t beg it from Mulongeni,” Kazenambo lashed out at Mulongeni.
In an apparent reference to Ekandjo, Kazenambo said the blackmail, witch hunts, lack of respect and selfishness must stop in Namibia.
“We must not treat each other through dirty manoeuvres, witch hunts but must respect each other, have the spirit of sharing, not denying each other opportunities. Let us wake up and treat each other, have mutual respect to co-exist well,” he said.
Commenting on the support he has received from the public following the interview, Kazenambo said the public was in solidarity with the principles he stands for.
“They were not in solidarity with Kazenambo Kazenambo as an individual but the principles I stand for that speak against calling other people names, blackmailing and putting other people in tight spots,” he said.
When contacted for comment, Mulongeni said he was good friends with Kazenambo saying he was not out there to crucify him.
“I will take on everybody regardless of who that person is. I was not out to put him down. It’s nothing to do with him. You should ask the NBC. They are the ones whose production team prepared those questions I asked Kazenambo.
If I managed to make somebody speak out during the interview then I am joyful. This programme has achieved its intended objective; that of getting people to talk. My guests should remain calm and answer questions not ask me questions. This programme is not a debate. It has got nothing to do with me.”
Thursday, 25 February 2010
STEADFAST Swapo MP Kazenambo Kazenambo has hit out at the state broadcaster’s One-on-One presenter, Dr Ben Mulongeni in what seemed a backlash against Kazenambo’s resistance against the tribal witch-hunt and ostracism of suspected Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) members in Government.
The steely Deputy Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development, Kazenambo did not fear to risk his Ministerial career after he publicly lashed out at his Minister, Jerry Ekandjo for allegedly orchestrating a purge against Kwanyama speaking civil servants in his Ministry who are suspected to be RDP.
Following the Deputy Minister’s public disapproval of his Minister’s tribal witch-hunt, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) appears to have set him up, questioning his anti-systemic ideology, including his call for a non-Oshiwambo President.
The One-on-One interview, ironically, created a huge public appeal, attracting a large Facebook following, with some describing Kazenambo as “a man of dignity.”
“That man... I like his character as a man of dignity, honesty, very straightforward. They thought they can (disclose) to the nation. Guess what! Kazenambo was just one step ahead. I enjoyed last night and wish they can repeat the interview,” said one Facebook fan.
Said another fan, “I can prognosticate the future by seeing honourable Kazenambo Kazenambo being the first non-Oshiwambo President.”
“Hmm... Eish then we would see and hear freedom of speech at its best,” replied another fan.
In an interview with Informanté, Kazenambo criticised Mulongeni and told him “to keep his nonsense to himself”.
Kazenambo threatened to quit his Deputy Ministerial post after clashing with Ekandjo over a tribal witch-hunt targeting civil servants suspected to be Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) supporters.
“I have three heritages, I am Kazenambo Kazenambo. I am Namibian by descent and I am a Swapo member. Nobody can push me out of this party. I volunteered to join Swapo and I will voluntarily leave Swapo. Mulongeni did not give me my citizenship. If he came into the interview to put me in a tight spot and paint this bad boy picture of me, he failed.
“I didn’t beg to be a Namibian citizen. I am no puppet of anyone and I am not buying my citizenship. Mulongeni must keep his nonsense to himself. My Swapo heritage, I didn’t beg it from Mulongeni,” Kazenambo lashed out at Mulongeni.
In an apparent reference to Ekandjo, Kazenambo said the blackmail, witch hunts, lack of respect and selfishness must stop in Namibia.
“We must not treat each other through dirty manoeuvres, witch hunts but must respect each other, have the spirit of sharing, not denying each other opportunities. Let us wake up and treat each other, have mutual respect to co-exist well,” he said.
Commenting on the support he has received from the public following the interview, Kazenambo said the public was in solidarity with the principles he stands for.
“They were not in solidarity with Kazenambo Kazenambo as an individual but the principles I stand for that speak against calling other people names, blackmailing and putting other people in tight spots,” he said.
When contacted for comment, Mulongeni said he was good friends with Kazenambo saying he was not out there to crucify him.
“I will take on everybody regardless of who that person is. I was not out to put him down. It’s nothing to do with him. You should ask the NBC. They are the ones whose production team prepared those questions I asked Kazenambo.
If I managed to make somebody speak out during the interview then I am joyful. This programme has achieved its intended objective; that of getting people to talk. My guests should remain calm and answer questions not ask me questions. This programme is not a debate. It has got nothing to do with me.”
President Pohamba humiliated at Ya France’s funeral
Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 25 February 2010
PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba was allegedly humiliated at the funeral of the late Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) board chairman and Swapo Member of Parliament Ponhele ya France when he was denied the opportunity to address mourners and his presence never acknowledged at the funeral.
According to sources who attended the burial of Ya France the event allegedly turned into a Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) party funeral.
The source said Ya France’s nephew Hafeni Nghinamwaami who was number 53 on the RDP’s Parliamentary list and also Master of Ceremony at the burial never acknowledged Pohamba’s presence.
“The organisation of the funeral was taken over by the RDP and we are told that Ya France’s nephew who is an RDP member was the MC at the burial. He never gave the President who was prepared to give a speech the opportunity to do so. The President became hugely embarrassed that if his office knew that the funeral had been turned into an RDP event why didn’t they advise him,” the source said.
Nghinamwaami, when contacted for comment, said Pohamba never approached and asked him for an opportunity to give a speech.
“I received the President twice first on Wednesday and at the funeral. He never asked to give a speech. He did not even bring flowers to place at the grave side and I had to give him. These Swapo people must not try to politicise these issues. This is rubbish. I am sure they are crying foul but why after the way they treated Ya France. If the President was embarrassed he must say so not (through) some bush agencies,” Nghinamwaami said.
He refused to comment on whether Ya France was still a Swapo member when he died or had shifted goal posts.
“Whether he was still a member of Swapo or not, I will not answer. It’s between me and the deceased.”
Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr Albert Kawana refused to comment on the issue saying he did not attend the funeral and so he wasn’t aware of the incident.
Thursday, 25 February 2010
PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba was allegedly humiliated at the funeral of the late Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) board chairman and Swapo Member of Parliament Ponhele ya France when he was denied the opportunity to address mourners and his presence never acknowledged at the funeral.
According to sources who attended the burial of Ya France the event allegedly turned into a Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) party funeral.
The source said Ya France’s nephew Hafeni Nghinamwaami who was number 53 on the RDP’s Parliamentary list and also Master of Ceremony at the burial never acknowledged Pohamba’s presence.
“The organisation of the funeral was taken over by the RDP and we are told that Ya France’s nephew who is an RDP member was the MC at the burial. He never gave the President who was prepared to give a speech the opportunity to do so. The President became hugely embarrassed that if his office knew that the funeral had been turned into an RDP event why didn’t they advise him,” the source said.
Nghinamwaami, when contacted for comment, said Pohamba never approached and asked him for an opportunity to give a speech.
“I received the President twice first on Wednesday and at the funeral. He never asked to give a speech. He did not even bring flowers to place at the grave side and I had to give him. These Swapo people must not try to politicise these issues. This is rubbish. I am sure they are crying foul but why after the way they treated Ya France. If the President was embarrassed he must say so not (through) some bush agencies,” Nghinamwaami said.
He refused to comment on whether Ya France was still a Swapo member when he died or had shifted goal posts.
“Whether he was still a member of Swapo or not, I will not answer. It’s between me and the deceased.”
Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr Albert Kawana refused to comment on the issue saying he did not attend the funeral and so he wasn’t aware of the incident.
Monday, February 22, 2010
RDP’s chief admin accused of “wife bashing”
Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 18 February 2010
ESTRANGED Finnish beauty of Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) chief administrator Libolly Haufiku, has accused her husband of assaulting and denying her access to the couple’s bedroom.
It has emerged that Haufiku, who is preparing for a historic legal challenge for his party against Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in the High Court, will be frequenting the same court for bedroom politics.
Haufiku admitted assaulting the wife, Sandra Jakstaite, to an extent that she was hospitalised, in court papers submitted to the High Court.
“Defendant admits that he pushed the plaintiff out of his way when plaintiff unlawfully prevented defendant from leaving the common home for the evening to mix socially with a life long friend of his with whom he had grown up. As a result of the push plaintiff hit her head against the door frame for which she received stitches,” Haufiku wrote in his plea papers.
Haufiku countered that the wife got unruly and elicited unnecessary arguments whenever she had consumed alcohol, throwing a glass at him and at times disrupting him from attending official functions.
He alleges that his wife made it impossible for him to conduct his official duties as honorary consular of Finland by refusing to accompany him to official functions and on occasion locked him out of the house.
On the allegations of insulting Jakstaite, Haufiku admits that he insulted her but pleads that such insults took place during arguments between them where both parties insulted each other.
According to court papers filed at the High Court, Jakstaite accuses Haufiku of denying her conjugal rights, insulting, domineering and failing to communicate with her.
“Defendant emotionally abused plaintiff. Defendant regularly stays away from the common home of the parties without any reasonable explanation and defendant regularly requested plaintiff for a divorce,” she says in her particulars of claim papers.
Jakstaite is also demanding custody and control of their minor children, maintenance of N$2,000 for every child, division of the joint estate and costs of suit if Haufiku fails to restitute conjugal rights.
She accuses him of physically assaulting her on two occasions with the first time having to be admitted in hospital after the bashing.
Haufiku denied that he regularly stays away from home without his wife’s knowledge saying that he would be away from home on business or official functions or duties as honorary consular of Finland.
“Defendant pleads that plaintiff was always aware of his whereabouts and reasons therefore,” Haufiku said.
Jakstaite also wants the court to order Haufiku to pay her N$1,000 for one year after the final order of divorce.
“An order in terms whereof the Defendant pays all medical, dental, pharmaceutical (on doctor’s prescriptions), surgical, hospital, orthodontic, ophthalmological (including spectacles and or/contact lenses) expenses incurred in relation to the minor children,” she claims.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
ESTRANGED Finnish beauty of Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) chief administrator Libolly Haufiku, has accused her husband of assaulting and denying her access to the couple’s bedroom.
It has emerged that Haufiku, who is preparing for a historic legal challenge for his party against Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in the High Court, will be frequenting the same court for bedroom politics.
Haufiku admitted assaulting the wife, Sandra Jakstaite, to an extent that she was hospitalised, in court papers submitted to the High Court.
“Defendant admits that he pushed the plaintiff out of his way when plaintiff unlawfully prevented defendant from leaving the common home for the evening to mix socially with a life long friend of his with whom he had grown up. As a result of the push plaintiff hit her head against the door frame for which she received stitches,” Haufiku wrote in his plea papers.
Haufiku countered that the wife got unruly and elicited unnecessary arguments whenever she had consumed alcohol, throwing a glass at him and at times disrupting him from attending official functions.
He alleges that his wife made it impossible for him to conduct his official duties as honorary consular of Finland by refusing to accompany him to official functions and on occasion locked him out of the house.
On the allegations of insulting Jakstaite, Haufiku admits that he insulted her but pleads that such insults took place during arguments between them where both parties insulted each other.
According to court papers filed at the High Court, Jakstaite accuses Haufiku of denying her conjugal rights, insulting, domineering and failing to communicate with her.
“Defendant emotionally abused plaintiff. Defendant regularly stays away from the common home of the parties without any reasonable explanation and defendant regularly requested plaintiff for a divorce,” she says in her particulars of claim papers.
Jakstaite is also demanding custody and control of their minor children, maintenance of N$2,000 for every child, division of the joint estate and costs of suit if Haufiku fails to restitute conjugal rights.
She accuses him of physically assaulting her on two occasions with the first time having to be admitted in hospital after the bashing.
Haufiku denied that he regularly stays away from home without his wife’s knowledge saying that he would be away from home on business or official functions or duties as honorary consular of Finland.
“Defendant pleads that plaintiff was always aware of his whereabouts and reasons therefore,” Haufiku said.
Jakstaite also wants the court to order Haufiku to pay her N$1,000 for one year after the final order of divorce.
“An order in terms whereof the Defendant pays all medical, dental, pharmaceutical (on doctor’s prescriptions), surgical, hospital, orthodontic, ophthalmological (including spectacles and or/contact lenses) expenses incurred in relation to the minor children,” she claims.
Tonata Shiimi fired from The Southern Times
Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 18 February 2010
LOCAL business man, Tonata Shiimi, has been fired as General Manager of the Southern Times after he allegedly went on an unauthorised trip with President Hifikepunye Pohamba early this month.
President Pohamba attended the Africa Investment Forum in Accra Ghana where he was accompanied by 50 local business people.
Informanté has it on good authority that Shiimi allegedly demanded special rates in subsistence and travel (S&T) rates when he attended the Forum netting an extra US$200 a day claiming that since it was a Presidential trip he had to get higher allowances.
He also allegedly lied that the Forum would end on Saturday in order to get more S&T allowances when in actual effect it ended Wednesday.
Shiimi had earlier this year embarked on another trip to Ghana when Air Namibia launched its new route to Accra and allegedly “demanded” S&T with both trips gobbling around N$70,000 from The Southern Times coffers.
According to impeccable sources within the weekly regional newspaper co-owned by the Namibian and Zimbabwean Governments, Shiimi was sent packing this Tuesday when the Board met and his contract was terminated with immediate effect.
“The Board was not happy with his unauthorised trip to Ghana where he demanded unsanctioned Travel and Subsistence rates. He was still on probation and for him to go on that trip to Ghana which is not in southern Africa when The Southern Times’ mandate is to only cover this region, he needed authority from the board,” one source said.
According to another source who spoke to Informanté on condition of anonymity, Shiimi, who was appointed General Manager on 1 December 2009, allegedly demanded to be addressed as the Chief Executive Officer of The Southern Times.
“Shiimi was not CEO his title was general manager but he insisted, or should I say demanded, to be addressed as CEO and referred to himself as such. In some correspondence he preferred to sign off as managing director, a non-existent title at the organisation,” the source said.
Acting board chairperson of NamZim, Dr Paul Chimedza, confirmed Shiimi’s sacking.
“It’s true he was fired. He was on probation, so the board felt he is not the right person for the job. However, it’s not the end of the world for him and we are grateful he showed interest in working for the organisation,” Chimedza said.
However, Chimedza refused to reveal the reasons why Shiimi was fired.
“That’s very confidential information maybe we will be able to reveal the details later but now is not the best time,” Chimedza said.
When contacted for comment Shiimi refused to comment telling Informanté that he would get in touch after he gets into his office which he found locked.
However, he never got back and subsequent efforts to get in touch with him proved fruitless as his mobile phone went unanswered and was later answered by a man who said Shiimi was in a meeting and he could not disturb him.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
LOCAL business man, Tonata Shiimi, has been fired as General Manager of the Southern Times after he allegedly went on an unauthorised trip with President Hifikepunye Pohamba early this month.
President Pohamba attended the Africa Investment Forum in Accra Ghana where he was accompanied by 50 local business people.
Informanté has it on good authority that Shiimi allegedly demanded special rates in subsistence and travel (S&T) rates when he attended the Forum netting an extra US$200 a day claiming that since it was a Presidential trip he had to get higher allowances.
He also allegedly lied that the Forum would end on Saturday in order to get more S&T allowances when in actual effect it ended Wednesday.
Shiimi had earlier this year embarked on another trip to Ghana when Air Namibia launched its new route to Accra and allegedly “demanded” S&T with both trips gobbling around N$70,000 from The Southern Times coffers.
According to impeccable sources within the weekly regional newspaper co-owned by the Namibian and Zimbabwean Governments, Shiimi was sent packing this Tuesday when the Board met and his contract was terminated with immediate effect.
“The Board was not happy with his unauthorised trip to Ghana where he demanded unsanctioned Travel and Subsistence rates. He was still on probation and for him to go on that trip to Ghana which is not in southern Africa when The Southern Times’ mandate is to only cover this region, he needed authority from the board,” one source said.
According to another source who spoke to Informanté on condition of anonymity, Shiimi, who was appointed General Manager on 1 December 2009, allegedly demanded to be addressed as the Chief Executive Officer of The Southern Times.
“Shiimi was not CEO his title was general manager but he insisted, or should I say demanded, to be addressed as CEO and referred to himself as such. In some correspondence he preferred to sign off as managing director, a non-existent title at the organisation,” the source said.
Acting board chairperson of NamZim, Dr Paul Chimedza, confirmed Shiimi’s sacking.
“It’s true he was fired. He was on probation, so the board felt he is not the right person for the job. However, it’s not the end of the world for him and we are grateful he showed interest in working for the organisation,” Chimedza said.
However, Chimedza refused to reveal the reasons why Shiimi was fired.
“That’s very confidential information maybe we will be able to reveal the details later but now is not the best time,” Chimedza said.
When contacted for comment Shiimi refused to comment telling Informanté that he would get in touch after he gets into his office which he found locked.
However, he never got back and subsequent efforts to get in touch with him proved fruitless as his mobile phone went unanswered and was later answered by a man who said Shiimi was in a meeting and he could not disturb him.
Siyauya hits back at Kaaronda over Unam
Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 18 February 2010
SWAPO Youth League national executive member Charles Siyauya has accused National Union of Namibian Workers Secretary General, Evilastus Kaaronda of being a tribalist over his allegations that University of Namibia Vice Chancellor, Prof Lazarus Hangula, had embezzled N$5m.
Responding to the story carried in Informanté last week where Kaaronda also accused Prof Hangula and his administration of employing expatriates ahead of Namibians, Siyauya, whose letter was addressed to Swapo Youth League Secretary General, Dr Elijah Ngurare as well as prominent youth league members Paulus Kapia and Arimas Amukuyu, says Kaaronda is using the NUWN position to further his Herero empire at Unam.
In the letter dated 15 February 2010 in possession of Informanté, Siyauya says ‘the Herero empire is being nurtured by a few but very strong self selected Herero speaking Namibians at Unam and Windhoek in particular to make sure that all key positions are occupied by Herero speaking Namibians because Windhoek is Otjimuise and Otjimuise is Hereroland as such they deserve to dominate key positions’.
Siyauya, who is also Unam co-ordinator for International Relations and Personal Assistant to Prof Hangula, claims that Kaaronda is a tribalist because he failed to mention the names of his fellow Herero speaking Namibians who were appointed by Hangula without responding to internally or externally advertising.
“These are Assistant Bursar, the previous Dean of Economics and Management Sciences before the current one, director CPST, senior Staff Development Officer, Head Accommodation. Why is Kaaronda mute about them. The answer is simply because they are all Hereros and he is also Herero or what justification does Cde Kaaronda has for his deliberate omission? This pains me a lot Comrades,” Siyauya wrote.
Siyauya states in his letter that the bone of contention between him and Kaaronda was not about irregularities, financial maladministration at Unam and lack of confidence in its management as claimed by Kaaronda in his letter to Unam Chancellor Dr Sam Nujoma but the recent appointment of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Administration and Finance, who is a Mufwe speaking Namibian from Kanono Village.
“This position was previously occupied by a Herero speaking Namibian and one of the applicants who happen to be Herero speaking was not short shortlisted for the interview by the Unam Council (and not Unam senior management) he later resorted to media sympathy, political mobilisation and now Kaaronda campaigns to assist him to secure this position which is already filled.”
Siyauya ends his letter by claiming that Kaaronda phoned him demanding that he withdraw his accusations of calling him a tribalist but he refused.
When contacted for comment Kaaronda said he has not seen Siyauya’s letter and he does not know what tribalism is about.
“Those who are tribalists have the inclination to look at everything from a tribalist point of view. The issues at hand are clear, procedures were not followed and it’s our duty to call for investigations where we feel public funds were misused. That’s why we wrote to the Founding Father.
“I don’t understand where the issue of tribalism is coming from. However, it goes without saying that those who are quick to label others tribalists are the ones who are tribalists,” Kaaronda said.
Siyauya admitted writing the letter but refused to comment on the issue saying as a disciplined Swapo cadre he can’t divulge more information to the media because he does not know how the media got the letter since it’s a an internal Swapo matter.
Ngurare refused to comment on the matter.
However, Informanté has it on good authority that he called for a meeting between the feuding parties to try and find a solution to the impasse with more meetings expected since the first meeting yielded no results.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
SWAPO Youth League national executive member Charles Siyauya has accused National Union of Namibian Workers Secretary General, Evilastus Kaaronda of being a tribalist over his allegations that University of Namibia Vice Chancellor, Prof Lazarus Hangula, had embezzled N$5m.
Responding to the story carried in Informanté last week where Kaaronda also accused Prof Hangula and his administration of employing expatriates ahead of Namibians, Siyauya, whose letter was addressed to Swapo Youth League Secretary General, Dr Elijah Ngurare as well as prominent youth league members Paulus Kapia and Arimas Amukuyu, says Kaaronda is using the NUWN position to further his Herero empire at Unam.
In the letter dated 15 February 2010 in possession of Informanté, Siyauya says ‘the Herero empire is being nurtured by a few but very strong self selected Herero speaking Namibians at Unam and Windhoek in particular to make sure that all key positions are occupied by Herero speaking Namibians because Windhoek is Otjimuise and Otjimuise is Hereroland as such they deserve to dominate key positions’.
Siyauya, who is also Unam co-ordinator for International Relations and Personal Assistant to Prof Hangula, claims that Kaaronda is a tribalist because he failed to mention the names of his fellow Herero speaking Namibians who were appointed by Hangula without responding to internally or externally advertising.
“These are Assistant Bursar, the previous Dean of Economics and Management Sciences before the current one, director CPST, senior Staff Development Officer, Head Accommodation. Why is Kaaronda mute about them. The answer is simply because they are all Hereros and he is also Herero or what justification does Cde Kaaronda has for his deliberate omission? This pains me a lot Comrades,” Siyauya wrote.
Siyauya states in his letter that the bone of contention between him and Kaaronda was not about irregularities, financial maladministration at Unam and lack of confidence in its management as claimed by Kaaronda in his letter to Unam Chancellor Dr Sam Nujoma but the recent appointment of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Administration and Finance, who is a Mufwe speaking Namibian from Kanono Village.
“This position was previously occupied by a Herero speaking Namibian and one of the applicants who happen to be Herero speaking was not short shortlisted for the interview by the Unam Council (and not Unam senior management) he later resorted to media sympathy, political mobilisation and now Kaaronda campaigns to assist him to secure this position which is already filled.”
Siyauya ends his letter by claiming that Kaaronda phoned him demanding that he withdraw his accusations of calling him a tribalist but he refused.
When contacted for comment Kaaronda said he has not seen Siyauya’s letter and he does not know what tribalism is about.
“Those who are tribalists have the inclination to look at everything from a tribalist point of view. The issues at hand are clear, procedures were not followed and it’s our duty to call for investigations where we feel public funds were misused. That’s why we wrote to the Founding Father.
“I don’t understand where the issue of tribalism is coming from. However, it goes without saying that those who are quick to label others tribalists are the ones who are tribalists,” Kaaronda said.
Siyauya admitted writing the letter but refused to comment on the issue saying as a disciplined Swapo cadre he can’t divulge more information to the media because he does not know how the media got the letter since it’s a an internal Swapo matter.
Ngurare refused to comment on the matter.
However, Informanté has it on good authority that he called for a meeting between the feuding parties to try and find a solution to the impasse with more meetings expected since the first meeting yielded no results.
Health says Okahandja State Hospital careless in rotting babies’ issue
Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 11 February 2010
THE Ministry of Health and Social Services says the Okahandja State Hospital pathetically handled the delegation of mortuary and incinerator duties that led to the rotting of more than 10 foetus over the last four months. The Ministry’s spokesperson, Gladys Kamboo blamed lack of communication on the part of the hospital management, poor tracing of relatives and lack of consent as contributing factors for the delay in cremating the foetus some of which have been stuck in the mortuary from June 2009.
“The Ministry of Health and Social Services acknowledges the fact that there was weak delegation of mortuary and incinerator duties. The delay in incineration of the foetus was confirmed,” Kamboo said.
The Ministry also blamed the delay on the mortuary work-hand who went on leave the whole of December 2009 until 17 January 2010.
However, this does not explain why the majority of the foetus were stuck in the mortuary since June 2009 when the hospital, on admission of expectant mothers, took down contact details of their next of kin.
The Ministry also denied that there were 20 foetuses stuck in the mortuary but eight only.
“A visit to the Okahandja Mortuary was conducted by the hospital management team. Retained products of conception were noted in the mortuary cabinet at the time of the visit. There were no fully formed babies, but products of conception. At the time of the Informanté photographing, the foetuses (sic) in the mortuary were eight and not 20 as reported in your news article,” Kamboo said.
Two weeks ago Informanté reported that bodies of stillborn and premature babies who died between June and December 2009 at Okahandja Hospital had been lying in the mortuary forgotten by the authorities. The parents were not aware that their babies whose bodies are supposed to be disposed of by the hospital were still in the mortuary months after their deaths.
One of the mothers, Beala Williams-Neels who gave birth to stillborn twins on 7 November 2009 was shocked when a friend asked her if she was failing to give her boys a decent burial. The friend had seen the names of the unburied bodies on the list at the mortuary. A mortician at the hospital who refused to give his name said the mothers had no idea their babies’ bodies had not been cremated.
Thursday, 11 February 2010
THE Ministry of Health and Social Services says the Okahandja State Hospital pathetically handled the delegation of mortuary and incinerator duties that led to the rotting of more than 10 foetus over the last four months. The Ministry’s spokesperson, Gladys Kamboo blamed lack of communication on the part of the hospital management, poor tracing of relatives and lack of consent as contributing factors for the delay in cremating the foetus some of which have been stuck in the mortuary from June 2009.
“The Ministry of Health and Social Services acknowledges the fact that there was weak delegation of mortuary and incinerator duties. The delay in incineration of the foetus was confirmed,” Kamboo said.
The Ministry also blamed the delay on the mortuary work-hand who went on leave the whole of December 2009 until 17 January 2010.
However, this does not explain why the majority of the foetus were stuck in the mortuary since June 2009 when the hospital, on admission of expectant mothers, took down contact details of their next of kin.
The Ministry also denied that there were 20 foetuses stuck in the mortuary but eight only.
“A visit to the Okahandja Mortuary was conducted by the hospital management team. Retained products of conception were noted in the mortuary cabinet at the time of the visit. There were no fully formed babies, but products of conception. At the time of the Informanté photographing, the foetuses (sic) in the mortuary were eight and not 20 as reported in your news article,” Kamboo said.
Two weeks ago Informanté reported that bodies of stillborn and premature babies who died between June and December 2009 at Okahandja Hospital had been lying in the mortuary forgotten by the authorities. The parents were not aware that their babies whose bodies are supposed to be disposed of by the hospital were still in the mortuary months after their deaths.
One of the mothers, Beala Williams-Neels who gave birth to stillborn twins on 7 November 2009 was shocked when a friend asked her if she was failing to give her boys a decent burial. The friend had seen the names of the unburied bodies on the list at the mortuary. A mortician at the hospital who refused to give his name said the mothers had no idea their babies’ bodies had not been cremated.
Unam VC accused of corruption
Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 11 February 2010
UNIVERSITY of Namibia, Vice Chancellor Professor Lazarus Hangula and his senior management allegedly embezzled N$5-million meant for the Masters Programme in Public Administration and are allegedly employing expatriates at the expense of equally or better qualified Namibians.
The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), Secretary General Evilastus Kaaronda who made the allegations also accused Unam of unprocedurally employing people in senior management positions.
Efforts to get a comment from Unam proved fruitless as the university’s public relations officer, Utaara Hoveka, said it was impractical for Informanté to get a response from them yesterday (Wednesday) as they needed time to consult.
Hangula was said to be out of office until next week with his mobile going on voice mail.
In his damning letter to Unam Chancellor and Namibia’s Founding Father, Dr Sam Nujoma dated 4 February 2010, Kaaronda alleges NUNW “independently confirmed that the university management had failed to account for about N$5-m lost in the MPPA program”.
“We are informed and have independently confirmed that the university management had failed to account for about N$5 million lost in the MPPA program. While some committed Namibians employed by the University including the director of this program had requested for a forensic audit so as to help bring those found wanting to book, the University management in a very suspicious and dubious manner only chose to pay back the money to the donor instead of heeding the advice of the director and others,” Kaaronda wrote to Nujoma.
He further alleged that money used by the University management to pay back the stolen funds was allegedly taken from the coffers of the university short changing Namibian students in the process.
“It is apparent that the Vice Chancellor is either not interested to properly serve our people with the required sense of diligence and care,” Kaaronda wrote.
In the same letter, Kaaronda states that the university recorded a deficit of approximately N$12 million in 2006 and the situation has been deteriorating ever since.
Kaaronda claims Unam management has over the years continued building and constructing projects without subjecting them to tender.
He also accused Unam senior management of filling six senior positions without either advertising the vacant positions internally or externally.
“These positions are a) director: human resources b) director: estate services c) director language centred) director Unam central consultancy bureau e) Unam legal advisor. Other two positions which were appointed in a similar fashion are those of special advisor to the vice chancellor and that of strategic planner. To further buttress our point on administrative discretion used to achieve the wrongs ends, we wish to point out a case that relates to the Registrar of the University who in addition to his office responsibilities was appointed to act as the director of the Computer Centre, a position for which he is not trained or qualify to hold ,” Kaaronda wrote.
The NUNW leader also queried why expatriate contracts are extended in contravention of the immigration requirements guiding appointments and retention of foreign workers.
“The Vice Chancellor has repeatedly overruled relevant committees of the university to promote expatriates of professors in situations where they failed to fulfil the university criteria as set out in the Unam promotions policy.”
Unam Governing Council chairperson, Filemon Amaambo refused to comment on the issue saying he was not comfortable in conducting telephone interviews and that he does not respond to rumours.
Kaaronda admitted writing the letter to the Founding Father after NUNW was approached by the Namibia National Teachers Union.
“Yes it’s true we were approached by NANTU and we communicated our concerns to the Chancellor.”
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Alfred Ilukena, said his office has not yet received or heard about the letter written to Nujoma or any of the allegations being levelled against Hangula.
The Founding Father’s personal assistant John Nauta confirmed that Nujoma received the letter but refused to comment on the issue saying he was out of the country last week
Thursday, 11 February 2010
UNIVERSITY of Namibia, Vice Chancellor Professor Lazarus Hangula and his senior management allegedly embezzled N$5-million meant for the Masters Programme in Public Administration and are allegedly employing expatriates at the expense of equally or better qualified Namibians.
The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), Secretary General Evilastus Kaaronda who made the allegations also accused Unam of unprocedurally employing people in senior management positions.
Efforts to get a comment from Unam proved fruitless as the university’s public relations officer, Utaara Hoveka, said it was impractical for Informanté to get a response from them yesterday (Wednesday) as they needed time to consult.
Hangula was said to be out of office until next week with his mobile going on voice mail.
In his damning letter to Unam Chancellor and Namibia’s Founding Father, Dr Sam Nujoma dated 4 February 2010, Kaaronda alleges NUNW “independently confirmed that the university management had failed to account for about N$5-m lost in the MPPA program”.
“We are informed and have independently confirmed that the university management had failed to account for about N$5 million lost in the MPPA program. While some committed Namibians employed by the University including the director of this program had requested for a forensic audit so as to help bring those found wanting to book, the University management in a very suspicious and dubious manner only chose to pay back the money to the donor instead of heeding the advice of the director and others,” Kaaronda wrote to Nujoma.
He further alleged that money used by the University management to pay back the stolen funds was allegedly taken from the coffers of the university short changing Namibian students in the process.
“It is apparent that the Vice Chancellor is either not interested to properly serve our people with the required sense of diligence and care,” Kaaronda wrote.
In the same letter, Kaaronda states that the university recorded a deficit of approximately N$12 million in 2006 and the situation has been deteriorating ever since.
Kaaronda claims Unam management has over the years continued building and constructing projects without subjecting them to tender.
He also accused Unam senior management of filling six senior positions without either advertising the vacant positions internally or externally.
“These positions are a) director: human resources b) director: estate services c) director language centred) director Unam central consultancy bureau e) Unam legal advisor. Other two positions which were appointed in a similar fashion are those of special advisor to the vice chancellor and that of strategic planner. To further buttress our point on administrative discretion used to achieve the wrongs ends, we wish to point out a case that relates to the Registrar of the University who in addition to his office responsibilities was appointed to act as the director of the Computer Centre, a position for which he is not trained or qualify to hold ,” Kaaronda wrote.
The NUNW leader also queried why expatriate contracts are extended in contravention of the immigration requirements guiding appointments and retention of foreign workers.
“The Vice Chancellor has repeatedly overruled relevant committees of the university to promote expatriates of professors in situations where they failed to fulfil the university criteria as set out in the Unam promotions policy.”
Unam Governing Council chairperson, Filemon Amaambo refused to comment on the issue saying he was not comfortable in conducting telephone interviews and that he does not respond to rumours.
Kaaronda admitted writing the letter to the Founding Father after NUNW was approached by the Namibia National Teachers Union.
“Yes it’s true we were approached by NANTU and we communicated our concerns to the Chancellor.”
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Alfred Ilukena, said his office has not yet received or heard about the letter written to Nujoma or any of the allegations being levelled against Hangula.
The Founding Father’s personal assistant John Nauta confirmed that Nujoma received the letter but refused to comment on the issue saying he was out of the country last week
Monday, February 8, 2010
PM Slams Kuleni
Written by Patience Nyangove and Tirivangani Masawi
Thursday, 04 February 2010
PRIME Minister, Nahas Angula has slammed the GIPF board of trustees for forming an offshoot company within the pension fund without Government’s knowledge.
Angula who is also chairperson of the State Owned Enterprise Governance Council (SOEGC ) described the formation of the controversial Kuleni Fund Administrators PTY Ltd as a non-event claiming that the GIPF board of trustees do not have the mandate to form a company without Government’s blessings.
“There is no company called Kuleni within GIPF. Whatever is happening there the Government is not aware and has not been formally informed. We have never heard of the formation of parallel structures within GIPF,” said Prime Minister Angula.
The Prime Minister’s sentiments comes barely a week after Informanté broke the story on the formation of Kuleni spearheaded by the current GIPF board and chaired by Helmut Ruppel.
Angula also said any changes effected at GIPF should be conducted through the laid down procedures that also include the participation of Parliament since the company is a public entity.
According to the Premier the board of trustees are better positioned to answer questions about the origins of Kuleni because SOEGC does not recognise the existence of the offshoot company.
Angula dismissed any chances of Kuleni increasing the pension premiums for civil service because the company does not exist as far as the Government is concerned and cannot take over the administration of GIPF.
He said any changes in the GIPF structures should be suctioned by his office or Government as they are the ones responsible for bankrolling the operations of all state owned companies.
“Government is responsible for funding these companies in times of need and also takes care of their day to day financial dealings and this makes government a major stake holder which makes all the decisions,” said Angula.
However, GIPF, CEO Primus Hango made a U-turn from his last week’s statements on the existence of Kuleni claiming that the company has been operational for more than 10 years now in a letter dated 1 February 2010 sent to Informanté.
This contradicts his comment last week when he said, “It is still an idea under consideration and we will contact you when its done.”
“Please take note that Kuleni Fund Administrators (Reg.99/504) has been in existence for more than 10 years having already two funds under administration, namely GIPF Employees Pension Fund and the Members of Parliament and other Office Bearers’ Pension Fund.”
In the letter, Hango also defends the existence of Kuleni saying it’s neither sinister nor illegal.
“Its establishment complies with the Rules of the GIPF that state that “the trustees shall appoint a pension fund administrator” as a service provider to administer the GIPF. Currently, GIPF is self administered, a function that Trustees normally outsource to pension fund administrators,” Hango said.
Thursday, 04 February 2010
PRIME Minister, Nahas Angula has slammed the GIPF board of trustees for forming an offshoot company within the pension fund without Government’s knowledge.
Angula who is also chairperson of the State Owned Enterprise Governance Council (SOEGC ) described the formation of the controversial Kuleni Fund Administrators PTY Ltd as a non-event claiming that the GIPF board of trustees do not have the mandate to form a company without Government’s blessings.
“There is no company called Kuleni within GIPF. Whatever is happening there the Government is not aware and has not been formally informed. We have never heard of the formation of parallel structures within GIPF,” said Prime Minister Angula.
The Prime Minister’s sentiments comes barely a week after Informanté broke the story on the formation of Kuleni spearheaded by the current GIPF board and chaired by Helmut Ruppel.
Angula also said any changes effected at GIPF should be conducted through the laid down procedures that also include the participation of Parliament since the company is a public entity.
According to the Premier the board of trustees are better positioned to answer questions about the origins of Kuleni because SOEGC does not recognise the existence of the offshoot company.
Angula dismissed any chances of Kuleni increasing the pension premiums for civil service because the company does not exist as far as the Government is concerned and cannot take over the administration of GIPF.
He said any changes in the GIPF structures should be suctioned by his office or Government as they are the ones responsible for bankrolling the operations of all state owned companies.
“Government is responsible for funding these companies in times of need and also takes care of their day to day financial dealings and this makes government a major stake holder which makes all the decisions,” said Angula.
However, GIPF, CEO Primus Hango made a U-turn from his last week’s statements on the existence of Kuleni claiming that the company has been operational for more than 10 years now in a letter dated 1 February 2010 sent to Informanté.
This contradicts his comment last week when he said, “It is still an idea under consideration and we will contact you when its done.”
“Please take note that Kuleni Fund Administrators (Reg.99/504) has been in existence for more than 10 years having already two funds under administration, namely GIPF Employees Pension Fund and the Members of Parliament and other Office Bearers’ Pension Fund.”
In the letter, Hango also defends the existence of Kuleni saying it’s neither sinister nor illegal.
“Its establishment complies with the Rules of the GIPF that state that “the trustees shall appoint a pension fund administrator” as a service provider to administer the GIPF. Currently, GIPF is self administered, a function that Trustees normally outsource to pension fund administrators,” Hango said.
//Gowaseb resigns from NamZim, New Era boards
Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 04 February 2010
FORMER Namibia Broadcasting Corporation(NBC) acting Director General, Matthew //Gowaseb has resigned from his positions in the NamZim and New Era boards.
Until early this week, //Gowaseb was board chairman at both the NamZim and New Era boards.
According to impeccable sources within the two organisations //Gowaseb resigned early this week, without giving reasons for his sudden resignations.
When contacted for comment //Gowaseb confirmed his resignations at the NamZim and New Era boards.
“I have resigned from NamZim and New Era boards because I enrolled for post graduate studies and I need to study intensively. It’s not only these boards I have resigned from, there are also three others in the private sector because I need to concentrate on my studies,” //Gowaseb said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Mbeuta Ua-Ndjarakana refused to comment on the matter referring Informanté to Minister Joël Kaapanda who is said to be out of the country.
“//Gowaseb reported directly to Minister Kaapanda and so the Minister is the best person to comment on this issue,” he said.
//Gowaseb’s resignation from the two boards comes barely a few weeks after he refused to have his contract at NBC renewed protesting the reversal of his staff reshuffle.
His reign at NBC hit the wall when he redeployed Claudia Iikela and Tobias Kandanga in December last year. The two allegedly ran to protest the move to former President and Founding Father, Dr Sam Nujoma and Minister Kaapanda.
Current Head of Division of Television Programmes at the NBC, Iikela and Kandanga, Acting Head of Radio Services allegedly ran to Nujoma and Kaapanda to protest their redeployment to Radio Services and Otjiwarongo Regional Contribution Centre respectively.
A source within Swapo said //Gowaseb is short tempered and broke the trust within the broadcaster by dealing directly with juniors and overlooking a set management structure.
“There is no political interference. It’s just that //Gowaseb is short tempered and because he associated with juniors such as Lahja Kandongo while overlooking Claudia,” the source said.
Thursday, 04 February 2010
FORMER Namibia Broadcasting Corporation(NBC) acting Director General, Matthew //Gowaseb has resigned from his positions in the NamZim and New Era boards.
Until early this week, //Gowaseb was board chairman at both the NamZim and New Era boards.
According to impeccable sources within the two organisations //Gowaseb resigned early this week, without giving reasons for his sudden resignations.
When contacted for comment //Gowaseb confirmed his resignations at the NamZim and New Era boards.
“I have resigned from NamZim and New Era boards because I enrolled for post graduate studies and I need to study intensively. It’s not only these boards I have resigned from, there are also three others in the private sector because I need to concentrate on my studies,” //Gowaseb said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Mbeuta Ua-Ndjarakana refused to comment on the matter referring Informanté to Minister Joël Kaapanda who is said to be out of the country.
“//Gowaseb reported directly to Minister Kaapanda and so the Minister is the best person to comment on this issue,” he said.
//Gowaseb’s resignation from the two boards comes barely a few weeks after he refused to have his contract at NBC renewed protesting the reversal of his staff reshuffle.
His reign at NBC hit the wall when he redeployed Claudia Iikela and Tobias Kandanga in December last year. The two allegedly ran to protest the move to former President and Founding Father, Dr Sam Nujoma and Minister Kaapanda.
Current Head of Division of Television Programmes at the NBC, Iikela and Kandanga, Acting Head of Radio Services allegedly ran to Nujoma and Kaapanda to protest their redeployment to Radio Services and Otjiwarongo Regional Contribution Centre respectively.
A source within Swapo said //Gowaseb is short tempered and broke the trust within the broadcaster by dealing directly with juniors and overlooking a set management structure.
“There is no political interference. It’s just that //Gowaseb is short tempered and because he associated with juniors such as Lahja Kandongo while overlooking Claudia,” the source said.
Health investigates rotting stillborn babies
Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 04 February 2010
THE Ministry of Health and Social Services says it will respond to Informanté’s exposé on the 20 bodies of stillborn and premature babies who were found rotting at the Okahandja State Hospital between June and December 2009, this Friday.
The Ministry’s Public Relations officer, Gladys Kamboo said investigations have been concluded and the Okahandja Hospital staff were asked by the Ministry to write reports on the matter.
“I am in the process of compiling the different reports made on the issue and once I am done by Friday and my supervisor goes over the response I will send the Ministry’s response to you,” Kamboo said.
Two weeks ago Informanté reported that bodies of stillborn and premature babies who died between June and December 2009 at Okahandja Hospital have been lying in the mortuary forgotten by the authorities.
The parents were not aware that their babies whose bodies are supposed to be disposed of by the hospital were still in the mortuary months after their deaths.
One of the mothers, Beala Williams-Neels who gave birth to stillborn twins on 7 November 2009 was shocked when a friend asked her if she was failing to give her boys a decent burial. The friend had seen the names of the unburied bodies on the list at the mortuary.
A mortician at the hospital who refused to give his name said the mothers had no idea that their babies’ bodies had not been cremated.
Thursday, 04 February 2010
THE Ministry of Health and Social Services says it will respond to Informanté’s exposé on the 20 bodies of stillborn and premature babies who were found rotting at the Okahandja State Hospital between June and December 2009, this Friday.
The Ministry’s Public Relations officer, Gladys Kamboo said investigations have been concluded and the Okahandja Hospital staff were asked by the Ministry to write reports on the matter.
“I am in the process of compiling the different reports made on the issue and once I am done by Friday and my supervisor goes over the response I will send the Ministry’s response to you,” Kamboo said.
Two weeks ago Informanté reported that bodies of stillborn and premature babies who died between June and December 2009 at Okahandja Hospital have been lying in the mortuary forgotten by the authorities.
The parents were not aware that their babies whose bodies are supposed to be disposed of by the hospital were still in the mortuary months after their deaths.
One of the mothers, Beala Williams-Neels who gave birth to stillborn twins on 7 November 2009 was shocked when a friend asked her if she was failing to give her boys a decent burial. The friend had seen the names of the unburied bodies on the list at the mortuary.
A mortician at the hospital who refused to give his name said the mothers had no idea that their babies’ bodies had not been cremated.
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