Criminal charges against Munyama to stand

FORMER NBC Director General Gerry Munyama will still face criminal charges of fraud and forgery, as well as a civil suit, despite quitting his post at the national broadcaster.

The Namibian has learnt that the Police investigation into Munyama’s charges was completed on Wednesday already, and that he has already avoided arrest on three occasions. Nonetheless, the Police’s public relations office yesterday continued to deny knowledge of a pending arrest.A criminal case was filed against Munyama two weeks ago.Munyama handed in his resignation on Friday in the wake of his suspension on November 15 because of the alleged misappropriation of N$345 995,88 from the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation’s pockets.In resigning, he avoided an internal disciplinary hearing, which was set to take place yesterday.According to sources, the Police had planned to arrest Munyama on Friday, but it was discovered that he wasn’t at home.He reportedly travelled to the North to be with his family as he wanted to spend time with his wife, who was to leave for Sweden yesterday.Munyama reportedly contacted the Police and assured them that he would hand himself over by 08h00 yesterday.However, by the time of going to press no arrest had been made.A Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Hieronymus Goraseb, said yesterday afternoon that his officers had told him they were still investigating the case, and that he would be informed as soon as there were new developments.NBC Acting Director General Ponhele ya France declined to comment on a pending arrest or on the civil case.”Some things we may say to the media, some we can’t,” he said.”What’s important is that we’re determined to get the money back, and we’ll use all legal instruments at our disposal to get it back,” Ya France added.Munyama’s letter of resignation is said to acknowledge debt to the NBC for the N$346 000 allegedly taken from a fraudulently opened Executive Account for which he had sole signing rights, as well as around N$100 000 which includes N$70 000 in exceeded entertainment allowances.”It’s a bit vague, but it’s enough,” sources said of the “admission of guilt” in Munyama’s resignation.According to sources, the terms of Munayama’s resignation stipulate that the NBC will hold back his pension, as well as other benefits normally paid out when someone resigns.With Munyama basically admitting to owing the NBC money, the broadcaster will hope for a summary judgement when the civil case is heard in court.Munyama yesterday declined to comment on his possible arrest and related issues.Nonetheless, the Police’s public relations office yesterday continued to deny knowledge of a pending arrest.A criminal case was filed against Munyama two weeks ago.Munyama handed in his resignation on Friday in the wake of his suspension on November 15 because of the alleged misappropriation of N$345 995,88 from the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation’s pockets.In resigning, he avoided an internal disciplinary hearing, which was set to take place yesterday.According to sources, the Police had planned to arrest Munyama on Friday, but it was discovered that he wasn’t at home.He reportedly travelled to the North to be with his family as he wanted to spend time with his wife, who was to leave for Sweden yesterday. Munyama reportedly contacted the Police and assured them that he would hand himself over by 08h00 yesterday.However, by the time of going to press no arrest had been made.A Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Hieronymus Goraseb, said yesterday afternoon that his officers had told him they were still investigating the case, and that he would be informed as soon as there were new developments.NBC Acting Director General Ponhele ya France declined to comment on a pending arrest or on the civil case.”Some things we may say to the media, some we can’t,” he said.”What’s important is that we’re determined to get the money back, and we’ll use all legal instruments at our disposal to get it back,” Ya France added.Munyama’s letter of resignation is said to acknowledge debt to the NBC for the N$346 000 allegedly taken from a fraudulently opened Executive Account for which he had sole signing rights, as well as around N$100 000 which includes N$70 000 in exceeded entertainment allowances.”It’s a bit vague, but it’s enough,” sources said of the “admission of guilt” in Munyama’s resignation.According to sources, the terms of Munayama’s resignation stipulate that the NBC will hold back his pension, as well as other benefits normally paid out when someone resigns.With Munyama basically admitting to owing the NBC money, the broadcaster will hope for a summary judgement when the civil case is heard in court.Munyama yesterday declined to comment on his possible arrest and related issues.