rubbishes ‘N$650K’ claim
■ Erongo RED disputes Usakos businesswoman bill
■ Erongo RED describes allegations as character assassination
■ Simeon-Kurtz says allegations intend to destroy her public image
■ Erongo RED to investigate the syndicate
• By Rosalia David
ERONGO RED has rubbished claims of an alleged N$650 000 electricity bill which purportedly belongs to board member, businesswoman Irene Simeon-Kurtz.
Speaking to Confidente this week, former chief executive officer of Erongo RED Fessor Mbango shot down the high bill allegations saying that the electricity bill that was leaked was manipulated.
“This is unacceptable, we don’t know where this information is coming from. We have policies which do not allow us to leak customer information to a third party. It should not be done and we will trace where this was leaked from,” he said.
• By Rosalia David
E
RONGO RED has rubbished claims of an alleged N$650 000 electricity bill which purportedly belongs to board member, businesswoman Irene Simeon-Kurtz.
Speaking to Confidente this week, chief executive officer of Erongo RED Fessor Mbango shot down the high bill allegations saying that the electricity bill that was leaked was manipulated.
“This is unacceptable, we don’t know where this information is coming from. We have policies which do not allow us to leak customer information to a third party. It should not be done and we will trace where this was leaked from,” he said.
Mbango says the amount of N$650 000 was fabricated to bully a businesswoman who is merely trying to build herself.
“Who gave the right to people to pick on an individual through coming up with a metrology? They are just fighting the poor lady for nothing,” he said.
He further said investigations will occur to avoid a similar ‘slip-up’ from occurring again.
“The damage is already done and we don’t know how to repair it but something will definitely be done. We apologise. The figures that were mentioned were not accurate.”
He said Simeon-Kurtz’s month-to-month bills are paid and up to date and she is handled like any other Namibian citizen.
According to a media report this week, the amount came to light after an Erongo RED statement from April 23 regarding a service station allegedly owned by Simeon-Kurtz who is also a local authority councillor at Usakos, was leaked to the community showing that the business owed the regional electricity distributor N$649 728.45.
The community then wrote a letter to Erongo RED demanding disciplinary action to be taken against Simeon-Kurtz and that she be removed from the board.
According to the letter, the community further demanded Erongo RED to disconnect the electricity of her business.
Responding to the allegations, Simeon-Kurtz wrote on her Facebook page that such claims are done to confuse the public by creating a false impression of her public image.
“Born during colonialism, there is a lot being said about everything in the private and professional life of Irene Simeon-Kurtz. We know the reasons and purpose of such claims and slander against her businesses and this is done to confuse the public by creating a false impression on her public image. Political narcissism is a disease and crime.
“I am an entrepreneur, a businesswoman, a grandmother and mother, a sister and an aunt. I built my businesses with the support of family and loyal employees. I run everything on my own without political help, influence or support. I was born during colonialism and today I am a strong proud independent black businesswoman. I work hard and develop other aspiring entrepreneurs and work to improve the image of my town Usakos and to develop Namibia as a whole,” she wrote.
She went on to state that she creates employment for her staff and takes care of many financial and other compliance related obligations.
“My lawyer and I confirmed that my businesses paid millions towards service providers. I contribute proudly to my country and its economy. The aim is to get our land and country economically back! No enemy can block such blessings.
“This is Namibia, Land of the Brave! I’m signing out by saying: I have a Master’s degree in International Business and a second Master’s degree in Public Policy and Governance. I am a responsible corporate citizen, peace!”
Simeon-Kurtz is the president of Black Business Leadership Network of Namibia (BBLNN) which fights for the plight of black businesses in the country.
BBLNN was formed by a group of previously disadvantaged entrepreneurs from different business sectors.
Read the full story in this week’s edition.