NUST administrator in court over alleged N$2.6m fraud

Maria Hengari (41), an administrator at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), made her first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Thursday following her arrest in connection with an alleged N$2.6 million fraud scheme.

Hengari faces charges of fraud and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, relating to the alleged acquisition, possession and use of proceeds of unlawful activities.

According to the charge sheet, the allegations stem from incidents that occurred between 2021 and 2024 in Windhoek. It is alleged that Hengari unlawfully and with intent to defraud misrepresented to NUST and its bursary officials that payments amounting to approximately N$2.6 million had been made by about 130 students.

NUST allegedly suffered actual prejudice of over N$2.6 million.

The State, represented by Reinhard Kamatoto, alleges that Hengari, acting in her capacity as an administrator with access to the university’s financial system, captured or processed payments on student accounts to reflect that their outstanding tuition fees had been settled.

However, the funds were allegedly not paid over to the university. Instead, it is alleged that students made payments directly into Hengari’s personal bank account and e-wallets in exchange for their debts being cleared on the system.

Hengari appeared before magistrate Immanuel Udjombala and was remanded in custody. The matter was postponed to 3 June.

Hengari informed the court that she intends to apply for legal aid.

The State is opposing bail, citing the seriousness of the offence, the strength of its case, and the risk of interference with ongoing investigations, which are reportedly still at an early stage. The prosecution further argued that granting bail would not be in the interest of the administration of justice.

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