Police arrested five workers on June 16 after finding them with stolen drought relief supplies. Officers discovered the men carrying six bags of rice and 13 boxes of canned fish. The workers had jobs at a military storage facility that handles emergency food for needy families. Regional police chief Philip Hidengwa confirmed the arrests happened at Otavi. All five suspects face charges for taking government food meant for hungry people.
The arrested men are Naruseb Alfred, Naruseb Martinus, Meyo Daniel, Kavenandayi Ndjoze and Mundju Karuamuze. They worked at the Namibian Defence Force depot where the regional council stores emergency supplies. Last year another official faced similar charges for stealing relief food from the same area. Local leaders say this shows a pattern of corruption that hurts poor families. The theft happened at a facility that distributes food during droughts.
Political group Affirmative Repositioning wants police to expand their investigation. Leader Johannes John says the stolen food was heading to Tsumkwe but workers sold it to farmers instead. The group claims officials use other people to sell government food for profit. John wants police to question councillor George Garab about his possible role. Garab did not respond when reporters tried to contact him.
John says stealing relief food makes it harder for the government to feed hungry people. His organization has raised money to bury children who died from hunger because supplies were stolen. The suspects received bail after appearing in court. John asks residents to report any suspicious activity around food distribution.
The arrested men are Naruseb Alfred, Naruseb Martinus, Meyo Daniel, Kavenandayi Ndjoze and Mundju Karuamuze. They worked at the Namibian Defence Force depot where the regional council stores emergency supplies. Last year another official faced similar charges for stealing relief food from the same area. Local leaders say this shows a pattern of corruption that hurts poor families. The theft happened at a facility that distributes food during droughts.
Political group Affirmative Repositioning wants police to expand their investigation. Leader Johannes John says the stolen food was heading to Tsumkwe but workers sold it to farmers instead. The group claims officials use other people to sell government food for profit. John wants police to question councillor George Garab about his possible role. Garab did not respond when reporters tried to contact him.
John says stealing relief food makes it harder for the government to feed hungry people. His organization has raised money to bury children who died from hunger because supplies were stolen. The suspects received bail after appearing in court. John asks residents to report any suspicious activity around food distribution.
