BBC News Online: World: Africa

Namibians sacked for TV porn gaffe

The unscheduled broadcast was beamed across Namibia

Two of the broadcaster's employees were alleged to have been watching the offending film on videotape at the time.

The two - a television director and a technician - have been dismissed.

Their claim that they had not known what was on the tape was rejected by a hastily-convened disciplinary panel.

'Laughter'

The BBC's Frauke Jensen in Windhoek says the incident gave rise to a debate about the duties and credibility of Namibia's national broadcaster - not least in Parliament where members were discussing the budget for the ministry of foreign affairs, broadcasting and information.

MPs not only lambasted the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation for bad reporting and overspending, they also found time to joke about the accidental sex session on TV.

One MP said: "We know that we can do it, and how to do it, but it shouldn't be shown to us."

Broadcasting Minister Theo-Ben Gurirab met the jibe with a comment that provoked laughter all around.

"I missed the show...on TV," he said. "I understand it was quite informative."