Kandetu launches flag probe at NBC

THE Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) says there was “an element of wrongdoing” in the sudden, fleeting appearance of a Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) flag behind President Hifikepunye Pohamba when he read his New Year’s speech on December 31.

NBC Director General Bob Kandetu said he has received a report on the incident – compiled by the General Manager: News and Current Affairs, Menesia Muinjo, General Manager: Television Services Claudia Iikela and General Manager: Technical Services Ruben Prinz.
‘The report confirmed that there was an element of negligence and oversight between production, reporting and final airing,’ Kandetu told The Namibian.
He promised to arrange an executive management meeting this week, which will decide on the appropriate course of action.
Kandetu ordered the broadcaster’s general managers to return from leave to compile the report.
An image of the RDP flag reportedly popped up for a split second at the end of the President’s address.
The Swapo Party has blamed Kandetu for the ‘screening’ of the RDP flag, claiming he was ‘an accomplice, either directly or indirectly’.
The Party’s Information Secretary, Jerry Ekandjo, said the appearance of the RDP flag behind Pohamba at the end of his pre-recorded New Year’s message had ‘sent shivers in the spines of the entire leadership and rank and file of Swapo’, was ‘scandalous’ and orchestrated to defame Pohamba.
‘This diabolic work of the RDP operatives in NBC demonstrates the extent to which members and collaborators of RDP are willing to go in implementing the infamous Nyamu notes of sabotaging the gains of the Swapo Party government,’ Ekandjo claimed.
He claimed Kandetu had been openly advocating himself as a torchbearer of the RDP and was a known active RDP member.
Kandetu has denied RDP links in the past, saying that he had supported Hidipo Hamutenya’s campaign for presidency in Swapo because the party had endorsed the three-candidate contest.
The two other candidates at the time were Pohamba and Prime Minister Nahas Angula. Kandetu has emphasised that he remains a Swapo member.
The NBC Director General also issued a media statement to apologise for what he described as a ‘serious incident’.
He said the NBC did not condone unprofessional conduct from employees entrusted with broadcasting responsibilities and vowed to report back with minimum delay on what action would be taken.
Ekandjo said Kandetu’s apology did not hold water or remedy the damage inflicted on the party by this incident.
He accused the DG of being guilty of ‘unbecoming conduct and handling of NBC affairs’ which were ‘littered with favouritism and tainted towards RDP’.
He alleged that Kandetu’s preoccupation at NBC had been to ensure that the NBC was ‘littered’ with RDP members, ‘collaborators’, supporters and sympathisers to serve that party’s interest.
It’s an open secret that Swapo wants Kandetu to be shown the door, along with Oshiwambo service senior producer Lapaka Ueyulu, who is a member of the RDP central committee, as well as the manager of TV licensing, Cecil Nguvauva.
Ekandjo said Nguvauva openly speaks at RDP rallies.