Shortly after the special session resumed yesterday, DTA MP Johan de Waal fired a barrage of questions at Information and Broadcasting Minister Nangolo Mbumba, questioning the treatment of New Era journalists, the daily's expenditure and its investment in the partnership of the weekly newspaper, Southern Times.

De Waal claimed that New Era journalists had not been paid overtime since the newspaper went daily in August, saying that New Era journalists have been contributing to The Southern Times without additional remuneration.

De Waal further wanted to know how New Era could afford to sponsor a soccer tournament to the tune of N$300 000, while there was allegedly no money to pay overtime to its staff.

Mbumba was also asked whether the company Adforce Advertising, contracted by New Era and the Southern Times to conduct strategic workshops, had obtained the contract through proper tender procedures.

Without revealing the shareholding of the company, De Waal asked the Minister whether he knew its composition and whether he did not deem this to be a serious conflict of interest.

He also sought an assurance from the Minister that New Era staff were not using their credit cards for travelling expenses, while at the same time pocketing per diems.

De Waal then turned his focus to the New Era-Zimpapers partnership.

He asked how much Government had invested to date in the production of the Southern Times, which was first published and distributed in the region in September.

Conversely, he also questioned how much Zimpapers had pumped into the venture.

Mbumba is also expected to provide feedback on how many copies of the Southern Times are sold per edition, as well as the current monthly advertising income of the publication.

Mbumba was asked to reply to the questions by next Thursday.

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