NBC probes theft charges at Oshakati

THE NBC has sent a top-level team to its office in Oshakati to investigate charges of corruption and staff grievances at the satellite office.

The Namibian established yesterday that the General Manager of NBC Radio Services, Umbi Karuaihe-Upi, and her team have been in Oshakati since Monday investigating and meeting staff members.She travelled north after employees wrote a petition demanding the removal of the head of the Oshiwambo Radio Service, Helen Shiimbi.Shiimbi reportedly resigned after Karuaihe-Upi wrote a letter informing her and the staff that they would be there this week to look into the grievances and asked for their co-operation.Sources in the parastatal claimed television equipment donated by a local bank had been found at Shiimbi’s home.Allegations were levelled that she, assisted by a former NBC employee, had been using it to produce wedding and party videos.Shiimbi is said to have denied the allegations.She maintains that she took the equipment home because of a lack of storage at the NBC offices.Efforts to get hold of Karuaihe-Upi proved fruitless, as she spent most of Tuesday and yesterday in meetings.christof@namibian.com.na