ACC investigates NBC radio manager

AFTER three years on the job, a Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) regional station manager has suddenly come under suspicion for allegedly being awarded his position through corruption.

Francis Sikuma, Manager of the NBC Silozi Service at Katima Mulilo, is being investigated for possibly having submitted “academic qualifications obtained through corrupt practice”. The qualification in question is his Grade 12 certificate.The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) confirmed to The Namibian that it was investigating the allegations against Sikumba, but Deputy Director Erna Van der Merwe declined to provide further details.Approached for comment yesterday, Sikumba said he had been informed by his employer about the ACC’s investigation, which kicked off towards the end of last month.”This story is all over Katima,” Sikumba said, adding that the ACC had yet to speak to him about the allegations.”I’ll leave them (ACC) to finish their investigation and to come up with their conclusions before commenting on anything,” he said.NBC Director General Bob Kandetu could not be reached for comment yesterday.According to Sikumba, he has been employed as Silozi Service manager for the NBC since 2003.Before that he had occupied a number of positions at the broadcaster, both in radio and television broadcasting.The qualification in question is his Grade 12 certificate. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) confirmed to The Namibian that it was investigating the allegations against Sikumba, but Deputy Director Erna Van der Merwe declined to provide further details.Approached for comment yesterday, Sikumba said he had been informed by his employer about the ACC’s investigation, which kicked off towards the end of last month.”This story is all over Katima,” Sikumba said, adding that the ACC had yet to speak to him about the allegations.”I’ll leave them (ACC) to finish their investigation and to come up with their conclusions before commenting on anything,” he said.NBC Director General Bob Kandetu could not be reached for comment yesterday.According to Sikumba, he has been employed as Silozi Service manager for the NBC since 2003.Before that he had occupied a number of positions at the broadcaster, both in radio and television broadcasting.