Pressure mounts on NBC

THE NBC board is feeling the heat after “detractors” stepped up efforts to get rid of several “unwanted” individuals at the national broadcaster.

NBC Board Chairperson Ponhele ya France told a media briefing yesterday that a “malicious campaign” was being waged in some media, with lies allegedly being spread about missing computers, solar panels and generators. Although Ya France did not mention Namibia Today by name, it was clear that the NBC Board Chairperson had been annoyed by recent string of articles carried by the Swapo mouthpiece in which allegations of corruption, theft and mismanagement were drummed up against Director General Bob Kandetu.One of the articles also alleged that the Board lacked the commitment to get rid of Kandetu and called on other newspapers to rally behind Namibia Today in its attempt to get him fired.”It is so painful that some newspapers went to the extent of not only drumming up lies, but went on to accuse other newspapers of not joining the malicious campaign against the NBC and its leadership.The reason is known only to them.We are only left to guess,” Ya France said.He had called the media briefing to reveal the findings of a recent investigation into the alleged theft of computers, solar panels and a generator.Ya France said everything was accounted for to the investigation team headed by board member Galen Kolokwe.”We are 100 per cent sure that they are there.They are all accounted for.The NBC is running well and in good hands.It is led by committed and dedicated cadres.Its staff, in spite of hardships, are hardworking and committed to their responsibilities,” Ya France said.He said “rotten apples” within the NBC were part of the problem faced by the management and the challenge posed by “evil wishers”.Ya France said his media briefing was provoked by “anger”.”I have seen it [the type of crusade against the NBC] only during the colonial time,” he said.Observers said the NBC Chairperson was feeling the heat as pressure mounted to get rid of him and other “unwanted elements” in the national broadcaster ahead of next year’s general elections.Some in Swapo are believed to want the likes of Ya France and Kandetu out of the NBC in the hope of replacing them with hardline cadres.Ya France said the campaign had already caused the broadcaster to part ways with recently appointed General Manager of Finance Kobus Groenewald.Ya France said Groenewald resigned because he was a professional of high standing and did not want his name dragged through the mud.”The NBC is too infested with rumours of maladministration and corruption.This is what the detractors are looking for.They are looking for us to go,” he said.Although Ya France did not mention Namibia Today by name, it was clear that the NBC Board Chairperson had been annoyed by recent string of articles carried by the Swapo mouthpiece in which allegations of corruption, theft and mismanagement were drummed up against Director General Bob Kandetu.One of the articles also alleged that the Board lacked the commitment to get rid of Kandetu and called on other newspapers to rally behind Namibia Today in its attempt to get him fired. “It is so painful that some newspapers went to the extent of not only drumming up lies, but went on to accuse other newspapers of not joining the malicious campaign against the NBC and its leadership.The reason is known only to them.We are only left to guess,” Ya France said.He had called the media briefing to reveal the findings of a recent investigation into the alleged theft of computers, solar panels and a generator.Ya France said everything was accounted for to the investigation team headed by board member Galen Kolokwe.”We are 100 per cent sure that they are there.They are all accounted for.The NBC is running well and in good hands.It is led by committed and dedicated cadres.Its staff, in spite of hardships, are hardworking and committed to their responsibilities,” Ya France said.He said “rotten apples” within the NBC were part of the problem faced by the management and the challenge posed by “evil wishers”.Ya France said his media briefing was provoked by “anger”.”I have seen it [the type of crusade against the NBC] only during the colonial time,” he said.Observers said the NBC Chairperson was feeling the heat as pressure mounted to get rid of him and other “unwanted elements” in the national broadcaster ahead of next year’s general elections.Some in Swapo are believed to want the likes of Ya France and Kandetu out of the NBC in the hope of replacing them with hardline cadres.Ya France said the campaign had already caused the broadcaster to part ways with recently appointed General Manager of Finance Kobus Groenewald.Ya France said Groenewald resigned because he was a professional of high standing and did not want his name dragged through the mud.”The NBC is too infested with rumours of maladministration and corruption.This is what the detractors are looking for.They are looking for us to go,” he said.