NBC-TV cameraman accused of stealing cattle

TWO suspects in a stock theft case, who allegedly used a Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) vehicle to transport stolen cattle, made a second appearance in the Outjo Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Obed Kaveterua, a NBC cameraman, had been granted bail of N$2 000 in November, while his co-accused, Paulus Uwanga, remains in custody. The case was postponed yesterday until March 23.NBC Human Resources Manager Teofe Karipi told The Namibian yesterday that the corporation’s head office in Windhoek had only heard of its employee’s involvement in a court case yesterday morning.They had not yet determined whether a NBC vehicle had been used in the alleged incident, he said.”From the information we received today it would appear that the incident took place last year,” Karipi said.”We have checked certain facts with the station manager in Otjiwarongo, who confirmed that one of our employees was involved in a theft case, but as far as the use of an NBC vehicle is concerned, we can’t confirm or deny that.”Karipi said the NBC assigned an investigating officer to the matter yesterday, and if it was found that an NBC vehicle had indeed been used in the execution of the alleged theft, this could hold serious consequences for Kaveterua.”If an NBC vehicle was used in this matter, it would obviously be a very serious matter,” Karipi said when asked whether the NBC would take internal action against the cameraman.According to the Police, Kaveterua and Uwanga made off with eight head of cattle, worth about N$82 000, from the farm Hopewell between November 26 and 28.Five of the animals have reportedly been recovered.When approached, Kaveterua declined to comment on the matter yesterday.The case was postponed yesterday until March 23.NBC Human Resources Manager Teofe Karipi told The Namibian yesterday that the corporation’s head office in Windhoek had only heard of its employee’s involvement in a court case yesterday morning.They had not yet determined whether a NBC vehicle had been used in the alleged incident, he said.”From the information we received today it would appear that the incident took place last year,” Karipi said. “We have checked certain facts with the station manager in Otjiwarongo, who confirmed that one of our employees was involved in a theft case, but as far as the use of an NBC vehicle is concerned, we can’t confirm or deny that.”Karipi said the NBC assigned an investigating officer to the matter yesterday, and if it was found that an NBC vehicle had indeed been used in the execution of the alleged theft, this could hold serious consequences for Kaveterua.”If an NBC vehicle was used in this matter, it would obviously be a very serious matter,” Karipi said when asked whether the NBC would take internal action against the cameraman.According to the Police, Kaveterua and Uwanga made off with eight head of cattle, worth about N$82 000, from the farm Hopewell between November 26 and 28.Five of the animals have reportedly been recovered.When approached, Kaveterua declined to comment on the matter yesterday.