Five Red Cross workers fired

WINDHOEK – Five employees of the Namibia Red Cross Society, who were suspended last December after being charged with theft, have been fired following a disciplinary hearing.

The Secretary General of the humanitarian organisation, Razia Essack-Kauaria, told Nampa that the five staff members’ employment contracts had been terminated, as they were found guilty of all charges against them. Four of the employees had worked for the organisation for more than five years.The five are also facing criminal charges arising from the theft of relief supplies, along with two members of the public.Jesaya Nghilalulwa, Martha Aebes, Bernadus Ganeb, Helmut Eichab, Michael Shaningua, Mandume Mweshixwa, and Theopolina Hamakutua-Kamati are all set to return to court on July 26.Essack-Kauaria could not disclose the value of the stolen tarpaulins, saying only that 17 packets had been recovered by the Namibian Police.In November, the Red Cross received a tip-off from people who claimed that the workers had offered to sell them the tarpaulins.That led to internal and criminal investigations.The Namibian Red Cross Society is a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which renders humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities worldwide.-NampaFour of the employees had worked for the organisation for more than five years.The five are also facing criminal charges arising from the theft of relief supplies, along with two members of the public.Jesaya Nghilalulwa, Martha Aebes, Bernadus Ganeb, Helmut Eichab, Michael Shaningua, Mandume Mweshixwa, and Theopolina Hamakutua-Kamati are all set to return to court on July 26.Essack-Kauaria could not disclose the value of the stolen tarpaulins, saying only that 17 packets had been recovered by the Namibian Police.In November, the Red Cross received a tip-off from people who claimed that the workers had offered to sell them the tarpaulins.That led to internal and criminal investigations.The Namibian Red Cross Society is a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which renders humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities worldwide.-Nampa