Five Red Cross workers in court over alleged theft

FIVE employees of the Namibian Red Cross Society have been arrested and charged with the theft of relief items from the organisation last week.The workers, four of whom have worked for the Red Cross for more than five years, appeared in court on Monday and were subsequently suspended on Tuesday.

According to the Namibian Red Cross, the organisation received a tip-off from two members of the public in November, informing them of the employees’ intent to sell them tarpaulin, normally used for shelter during flood relief operations. Private investigators and the Namibian Police then started investigating the claims.The suspects were identified as Martha Aebes, Bernadus Ganeb, Helmut Eichab and Michael Shaningua.They are currently out on bail, and their court case resumes on February 22, 2006.Namibia Red Cross Secretary General Razia Essack-Kauaria told The Namibian yesterday that the value of the stolen goods could not yet be confirmed because of the nature of the crime.”Because it was such an inside job,” she said, “even the records were doctored.”Two former staff members are still being looked for in connection with the theft.”We believe that this is an isolated case and pride ourselves on our service delivery and commitment to transparency and accountability,” the Red Cross said.The organisation says it will seek advice from its auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to prevent future incidents.The Namibian Red Cross Society is a member of the International Federation, which renders humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities throughout the world.Private investigators and the Namibian Police then started investigating the claims.The suspects were identified as Martha Aebes, Bernadus Ganeb, Helmut Eichab and Michael Shaningua.They are currently out on bail, and their court case resumes on February 22, 2006.Namibia Red Cross Secretary General Razia Essack-Kauaria told The Namibian yesterday that the value of the stolen goods could not yet be confirmed because of the nature of the crime.”Because it was such an inside job,” she said, “even the records were doctored.”Two former staff members are still being looked for in connection with the theft.”We believe that this is an isolated case and pride ourselves on our service delivery and commitment to transparency and accountability,” the Red Cross said.The organisation says it will seek advice from its auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to prevent future incidents.The Namibian Red Cross Society is a member of the International Federation, which renders humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities throughout the world.