DEFAMATORY MESSAGE CIRCULATING ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA ON NORED NETWORK STUDY AND ASSET VALUATION PROJECT IN RUNDU, KAVANGO EAST REGION
NORED Electricity hereby wishes to inform its esteemed stakeholders and the general public in Rundu town and Kavango East Region at large that it has taken note of a defamatory message circulating on the social media with respect to the on-going Network Study and Asset Valuation project in the region.
The author of the message is alleging that the study team is “not employed by NORED to carry out the project; but solely a gangster enters from house to house to check what you have in your house with intention to rob you at a gunpoint during the night.” The author further incites for violence by stating that “if you happen to see any person claiming he/she is from NORED, tell your neighbours and beat that idiot and call for the police.”
However, NORED is herewith states categorically clear that the company has indeed contracted Emcon Consulting Engineers to carry out Network Study and Asset Valuation project in its entire area of operation, of which Kavango East Region is included. The project is being carried out by the appointed survey team of Emcon representatives who are in possession of NORED identification cards with both NORED and Emcon emblems at all times. Emcon representatives’ project team is carry out the NORED Electricity Network infrastructures survey up to and including prepaid metering points.
Moreover, before the project commenced in every region and town, all stakeholders such as the Regional and Local Councils, Police Regional Commanding office and the community at large are informed of the project through consultative engagements meetings as well as media and local radio broadcasts. The same consultations were done with Kavango East Police Regional office and Rundu Town Council which further broadcasted the project on the local radio in Rukwangali for the community of Kavango East and Rundu Town.
The suspect who requested the identity of the survey team personnel at his house in Ndama location in Rundu and took a picture of the identification card which circulated on social media, has been arrested by the Namibian Rundu Police for the defamatory chargers. NORED in conjunction with the Namibian police are busy continuing with further investigations.
Henceforward, because of the negative impact due to the social media circulations, the Emcon representatives shall be accompanied by the Namibian Police and NORED team to carry out their designated duties in Rundu. NORED has granted authority and consent to the Emcon representatives’ full access to the infrastructure.
Similarly, we would also like to caution the public to be on alert of the criminals that might impersonated the required identification documents of the representatives. NORED further regrets any inconvenience and confusion to our stakeholders as a result of this defamatory message.