NBC in bid to recover N$48 000 loan from Ras Sheehama

VETERAN musician Ras Sheehama returned to the country from Europe on Sunday, to the news that the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) has taken legal steps against him. In December 2003, Sheehama entered into a loan agreement with the NBC, borrowing N$48 000 from the broadcaster for the release of his last album, ‘Pure Love’.

The money was meant to cover the production of the master CD, the printing of 1 000 CDs and 400 cassettes, and the design of the CD and cassette sleeves. In December, the NBC received default judgement against the afro-reggae artist in the High Court after he failed to pay back the amount in the 12 months stipulated in the agreement.Sheehama was supposed to pay back the first instalment of N$24 000 by July 2004, and the final N$24 000 by February 2005.He will now have to pay back the full N$48 000, in addition to interest of 20 per cent per year.The initial contract was signed between Umbiroo Karuaihe-Upi and then Acting Director General Menesia Muinjo for the NBC, and Sheehama in his personal capacity.”I was away in Europe and I only came back yesterday,” Sheehama said yesterday when approached for comment.”It was my fault, but I’ll pay the money back.It shouldn’t be a problem.”He added for the record that he didn’t borrow the money from former Director General Gerry Munyama, who in November last year resigned from his position after being charged with fraud allegedly committed against the State-funded broadcaster.”I didn’t know that the NBC Director General was doing what he was doing.But I didn’t get the money from him, I borrowed it from the NBC,” Sheehama said yesterday.Sheehama now plans to meet with the NBC in an attempt to reach another agreement.The newly appointed Acting Director General for the NBC, Stanley Simataa, informed The Namibian that he was still settling into his office and could only comment on the matter later in the week.In December, the NBC received default judgement against the afro-reggae artist in the High Court after he failed to pay back the amount in the 12 months stipulated in the agreement.Sheehama was supposed to pay back the first instalment of N$24 000 by July 2004, and the final N$24 000 by February 2005.He will now have to pay back the full N$48 000, in addition to interest of 20 per cent per year.The initial contract was signed between Umbiroo Karuaihe-Upi and then Acting Director General Menesia Muinjo for the NBC, and Sheehama in his personal capacity.”I was away in Europe and I only came back yesterday,” Sheehama said yesterday when approached for comment.”It was my fault, but I’ll pay the money back.It shouldn’t be a problem.”He added for the record that he didn’t borrow the money from former Director General Gerry Munyama, who in November last year resigned from his position after being charged with fraud allegedly committed against the State-funded broadcaster. “I didn’t know that the NBC Director General was doing what he was doing.But I didn’t get the money from him, I borrowed it from the NBC,” Sheehama said yesterday.Sheehama now plans to meet with the NBC in an attempt to reach another agreement. The newly appointed Acting Director General for the NBC, Stanley Simataa, informed The Namibian that he was still settling into his office and could only comment on the matter later in the week.