2005-12-02Staff Report 2 "By Chrispin Inambao WINDHOEK THE Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah yesterday convened an urgent meeting with members of the NBC Board where for several hours she discussed pressing issues at the beleaguered public broadcaster. Among those said to have met the Minister is Board Chairman of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Ponhele ya France and other board members. Though New Era could not get details of the meeting as the minister was still locked in the meeting that started around 14h30 and lasted beyond 18h20, there was speculation it was about Ya France assuming the role of the de facto CEO though as a caretaker. One senior manager was in concert with another, saying Ya France's dual role as chairman while at the same time serving as CEO does not augur well for good corporate governance and it is a vote of no confidence in the entire management at the NBC. He recently assumed this role when the former DG Gerry Munyama was suspended when it transpired he allegedly embezzled N$346 000 through a dubiously opened account to which he had exclusive access. For the alleged crime Munyama was arrested this week and he was granted bail of N$20 000 when he briefly appeared in A-Court. And the cash-strapped broadcaster is also struggling to recover another amount of N$70 000 after Munyama exceeded his entertainment allowance whose monthly limit was N$6 000. Six days ago he resigned as DG after he plunged the corporation into it's worst management and financial crisis. Concerning yesterday's urgent meeting whose details were sketchy at the time of going to press, one senior manager was adamant that it was about the dual role of the Board Chairman. The source said ""You can't be a custodian and then be the administrator at the same time."" Several sources say that some board members have expressed their discomfort at the dual role." 2005-12-02Staff Report 2
