Sports Commission pension funds cannot be traced

SportsCommission

ORION Namibia Pension Fund, which manages the pension scheme for employees of the Namibia Sports Commission, confirmed yesterday that it was “unable to trace contributions to the fund on behalf of individuals (employees of the Sports Commission) who are members of the Fund.”

The Namibian established that the problem was discovered in August last year, but it appears nothing has been done to rectify it and that although money was being deducted from employees' salaries for the pension fund, it was not being paid over to Orion. A number of former employees have reportedly not received their pension payouts. “Whether deductions were made from individuals' salaries and paid to the Orion Namibia Pension Fund is a matter best directed to the Sports Commission for comment. I am only able to advise that the Orion Namibia Pension Fund has advised the Sports Commission that we are unable to trace contributions due to the Fund on behalf of individuals who are members of the Fund,” said Arthur Kröhnert, principal officer and trustee at Orion Namibia Pension Fund. Kröhnert said the fund has also not received the relevant data to reconcile contributions the Sports Commission claims it may have paid. “I am able to advise that they have committed to providing the fund with proof of payments made,” he said. Victoria Muranda, the communications manager at the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority, told The Namibian that the affected employees must follow complaints procedures for a possible full investigation to be carried out. “The questions that you have raised require a time-consuming exercise in terms of reconciliation and to do due diligence. We are herewith requesting your patience in order for us to express an opinion in that regard,” said Walter Haseb, acting chief administrator at the commission. Deputy sports minister Agnes Tjongarero yesterday said she was not aware of the problem. “I am hearing it for the first time.” Sports permanent secretary, Alfred Ilukena, also said he was not aware of the problem. He explained that the ministry only allocates a budget to the commission, and is not involved in its day-to-day operations. Director of sport Sivhute Katamba yesterday also said he was not aware of the problem. “I don't know about that problem. I am hearing it for the first time.”