Construction boss denies allegations

THE Chairman of the Namibia National Construction Association (Nanca), Michael Heita, has denied allegations by former members that the organisation is corrupt.

Addressing a press conference at Oshakati last week, Heita said some disgruntled former members of Nanca, led by Shatimwene Erastus Kalola, were spreading rumours that the Nanca leadership was corrupt, autocratic, unfair and discriminatory. He said 10 members were suspended in 2005 for allegedly plotting to dismantle Nanca and establish a new association.Since then, according to Heita, they had waged a smear campaign against the association and its leadership.”Those … allegations were given to the New Era newspaper and were published in this newspaper on February 9 this year,” Heita said.He said the Nanca leaders were trusted people and were doing a good job for the nation.”We think there are some big people behind him [Kalola], who are against us and jealous about the good work Nanca is doing among peace-loving Namibians,” Heita said.”They wrote in the newspaper that they have reported all these allegations to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC),” he said, adding that the group has also started intimidating and threatening Nanca executive committee members.Nanca planned to take them to court over this, he added.Approached for comment, Kalola claimed there were many examples of alleged corruption in Nanca.He did not provide examples to back up his claims, but said that he and his group would call a press conference to reveal them.He said 10 members were suspended in 2005 for allegedly plotting to dismantle Nanca and establish a new association.Since then, according to Heita, they had waged a smear campaign against the association and its leadership.”Those … allegations were given to the New Era newspaper and were published in this newspaper on February 9 this year,” Heita said.He said the Nanca leaders were trusted people and were doing a good job for the nation.”We think there are some big people behind him [Kalola], who are against us and jealous about the good work Nanca is doing among peace-loving Namibians,” Heita said.”They wrote in the newspaper that they have reported all these allegations to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC),” he said, adding that the group has also started intimidating and threatening Nanca executive committee members.Nanca planned to take them to court over this, he added.Approached for comment, Kalola claimed there were many examples of alleged corruption in Nanca.He did not provide examples to back up his claims, but said that he and his group would call a press conference to reveal them.