WINDHOEK, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- The national telecommunications operator of Namibia has suspended three top executives following media reports of an alleged fake contract involving 12 million Namibia dollars (815,217 U.S. dollars).
Telecom Namibia's Acting Chief Executive Officer Armando Perny said in a statement on Wednesday that the company's Chief Financial Officer Robert Offner was suspended on Sept. 26 and Head of Internal Audit and Risk Management Ben Van der Merwe and Head of Corporate Governance, Legal Services and Regulatory Affairs Jinah Buys were suspended on Oct. 9.
They were placed on a precautionary suspension pending an investigation into the allegations.
"Telecom Namibia executive management, whilst espousing the principle of the presumption of innocence, due to the seniority of the three executives and the seriousness of the matter under investigation, as well as in keeping with the provisions of the company's Disciplinary Code, took a decision that it would be better for them to be suspended until the investigation is finalized," Perny said.
According to Perny, the suspensions were done with the knowledge and full approval of the shareholders.
Telecom Namibia, established in August 1992, is wholly owned by the government.
