NBC fraud case postponed

THE fraud case of former Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Director General Gerry Munyama was postponed for the second time yesterday in the Windhoek Magistrate’s court.

Magistrate Gladys Vries postponed the former DG’s trial until August 10 for the Police investigation to be finalised, and extended his bail of N$20 000 until then. Vries also extended Munyama’s bail conditions, namely that he should report to the Police station once a week, and that he may not leave Windhoek without notifying the investigating officer in his case.Munyama was arrested on November 29, after being suspended and then resigning from his post at the national broadcaster earlier that month.It is alleged that he embezzled more than N$346 000 from the corporation by opening a company Executive Account with a local bank, and giving himself sole signatory power on that account.He then allegedly deposited company money into this account, with the intent of putting it to his own use.Munyama was represented by Richard Muller from law firm PF Koep & Co.The NBC is currently sifting through a number of applications for its vacant Director General’s post.The chairman of the corporation’s board of directors, Ponhele Ya France, told The Namibian earlier this week that a permanent appointment was expected to be made by the second week of April.The Ministry of Education has in the meantime seconded its Deputy Permanent Secretary, Stanley Simataa, to head the NBC until the final decision is made.Simataa has reportedly applied for the permanent position.Vries also extended Munyama’s bail conditions, namely that he should report to the Police station once a week, and that he may not leave Windhoek without notifying the investigating officer in his case.Munyama was arrested on November 29, after being suspended and then resigning from his post at the national broadcaster earlier that month.It is alleged that he embezzled more than N$346 000 from the corporation by opening a company Executive Account with a local bank, and giving himself sole signatory power on that account.He then allegedly deposited company money into this account, with the intent of putting it to his own use.Munyama was represented by Richard Muller from law firm PF Koep & Co.The NBC is currently sifting through a number of applications for its vacant Director General’s post.The chairman of the corporation’s board of directors, Ponhele Ya France, told The Namibian earlier this week that a permanent appointment was expected to be made by the second week of April.The Ministry of Education has in the meantime seconded its Deputy Permanent Secretary, Stanley Simataa, to head the NBC until the final decision is made.Simataa has reportedly applied for the permanent position.

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