NASCAM, the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music, was burgled earlier this month, resulting in a delay in the payouts of royalties to local musicians.

According to the head of the organisation, John Max, the royalty payments will proceed thanks to Nascam's practice of making daily backups.

Unfortunately insurance requirements and the need to reinstall the programme that Nascam uses to keep track of who needs to be paid will delay the process.

He said payments should be made by the middle of December after a delay of two to three weeks.

Thieves broke in on the night of November 14, he said.

They first removed one of the pre-cast wall panels in order to enter under the electrified fence that surrounds the Nascam premises on Johnson Street near Windhoek's Eros suburb.

Once in the yard they moved to the back of the building where they gained access to the roof.

The thieves cut through the roof and entered the space above the ceiling.

There they followed the wires to the alarm system and cut them.

They then broke through the ceiling and entered the building in the reception area.

According to Max, six computers and four monitors were stolen, as well as a digital camera and a hi-fi system.

The thieves also broke into the Nascam safe and stole about N$4 000.