Independence Caterers chief quits

THE Managing Director of Independence Caterers, Ed Davies, has confirmed that he has formally resigned from the position he has held for the past 13 years, and that Catering Association of Namibia director Jakes Haimbodi would be taking over the company’s reins.

Davies, who has been living in Big Bay, New Zealand, for the past two years, denied that his resignation had anything to do with the ongoing investigation by the Ministry of Education into alleged irregularities by the members of the Catering Association of Namibia (CAN). “(The) reason is that it was felt that the distance from (New Zealand) made it difficult for me to act as MD and that somebody permanently local would be a more workable solution,” Davies said by e-mail.Davies would not say whether he would sell his substantial shareholding in Independence Caterers, the biggest company of its kind in Namibia.Meanwhile, sources in the Ministry of Education say the investigation is continuing into allegations of over-use of sodium alginate and calcium alginate in meat and milk products supplied to Namibian school hostels.Davies rejected accusations that their meat and products posed a health risk because of high levels of salt and insisted that their own tests were only on samples.Education Permanent Secretary Vitalis Ankama could not be reached for comment to establish how far the investigation has progressed.* John Grobler is a freelance journalist; 081 240 1587″(The) reason is that it was felt that the distance from (New Zealand) made it difficult for me to act as MD and that somebody permanently local would be a more workable solution,” Davies said by e-mail.Davies would not say whether he would sell his substantial shareholding in Independence Caterers, the biggest company of its kind in Namibia.Meanwhile, sources in the Ministry of Education say the investigation is continuing into allegations of over-use of sodium alginate and calcium alginate in meat and milk products supplied to Namibian school hostels.Davies rejected accusations that their meat and products posed a health risk because of high levels of salt and insisted that their own tests were only on samples.Education Permanent Secretary Vitalis Ankama could not be reached for comment to establish how far the investigation has progressed.* John Grobler is a freelance journalist; 081 240 1587