Swapo targets Kandetu

SWAPO has called for the immediate dismissal of the Director General of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), Bob Kandetu, following the sudden appearance of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) flag behind President Hifikepunye Pohamba when he read his New Year’s speech on December 31.

‘The blame for the appearance of the RDP flag is directed and laid squarely at the feet of Bob Kandetu, Director General of NBC, who cannot escape being an accomplice, either directly or indirectly, to the deed,’ Swapo Information Secretary Jerry Ekandjo said in a statement yesterday. He said the appearance of the RDP flag behind Pohamba as he was giving his pre-recorded New Year message had ‘sent shivers in the spines of the entire leadership and rank and file of Swapo’. Ekandjo claimed the incident was ‘scandalous’ and orchestrated to defame Pohamba. ‘This diabolic work of the RDP operatives in NBC demonstrates the extent to which members and collaborators of RDP are willing to go in implementing the infamous Nyamu notes of sabotaging
the gains of the Swapo Party government,’ Ekandjo said. He claimed Kandetu had been openly advocating himself as a torchbearer of RDP and was a known active RDP member. Kandetu has denied RDP links in the past, saying that he had supported Hidipo Hamutenya’s campaign for presidency in Swapo because the party had endorsed the three-candidate contest. The two other candidates at the time were Pohamba and Prime Minister Nahas Angula. He has emphasised he remains a Swapo member. The NBC Director General also
issued a media statement this week on behalf of the management to apologise for what he himself termed a ‘serious incident’. ‘We do not condone unprofessional conduct from colleagues entrusted with broadcasting responsibilities aimed at serving the entire nation and its stakeholders without fear or favour,’ Kandetu said. He has also vowed to commission a formal investigation into the incident and to report back with minimum delay.
Ekandjo said Kandetu’s apology did not hold water or remedy the damage inflicted on the party by this incident He said the DG was guilty of ‘unbecoming conduct and handling of NBC affairs’ which were littered with favouritism and tainted towards RDP. ‘His preoccupation at NBC has been but partisan and ensuring that NBC is littered with the likes of RDP members, collaborators, supporters and sympathisers to drive and serve his party’s interest,’ Ekandjo said. He wants Kandetu to be ‘shown the door’ along with senior producer of Oshiwambo service Lapaka Ueyulu, who is a member of the RDP central committee, as well as the manager of TV licences, Cecil Nguvauva. Ekandjo said Nguvauva openly speaks at RDP rallies. He said the conditions of employment state that employees of the NBC cannot take an active role in politics. Swapo believes that the incident was yet another example of RDP’s disregard for the rule of law and code of conduct for political parties. ‘This further goes to show the extent to which RDP is ready to disturb peace and order to bring about calamity, disunity and chaos in the country,’ Ekandjo claimed.