ACC pushes for Naomab probe

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) wants the vice-chancellor of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Dr Erold Naomab, probed for corruption, maladministration and mismanagement.This was revealed in a letter, seen by Namibian Sun, in which the ACC requested the NUST council to act on the matter. Naomab faces allegations of misuse of public funds, nepotism, tribalism and abuse of power.“These are serious allegations of administrative corruption against the management of the public institution of academy which should not be taken lightly,” ACC boss Paulus Noa wrote in the letter dated 22 June.ACC wants a forensic probe to be conducted to test the veracity of an avalanche of claims levelled against the under-fire Naomab.Noa added: “Though these allegations might have been already brought to your knowledge, we bring the same to the attention of the council to urgently consider contracting a competent forensic body to conduct an investigation of such allegations”.Noa, who confirmed the letter, gave the council until Friday to respond.Shifting responsibilityAsked why the ACC is not probing the matter itself - and instead shifting the responsibility to NUST - Noa said the anti-graft body will get involved if the council refuses to probe the allegations.He said most of the allegations border on management decisions and therefore the council, as the governing body, should deal with it.“Do you want ACC to get involved in all these places where people are paid allowances to govern a company? The right time will come and we will start with the governing body for neglecting their duty if they don&#039;t want to investigate. Why should they [the council] govern the institution if they are not ready to govern it?” he asked.Surprisingly, when approached for comment yesterday, NUST council chairperson Florette Nakusera had no clue about the missive.“I have not received such correspondence,” she said.At loggerheadsNUST has been at loggerheads with the bargaining union, the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu), over the allegations levelled against Naomab.At one point, Napwu wanted the NUST management to deny the allegations under oath. It was also opposed to an internal decision taken to empower management to probe itself by way of an internal investigation.On the other hand, the NUST council accused the union of leaking confidential information and deliberations between the two to the media.‘Irresponsible spending’Disgruntled employees had previously written complaint letters to the council bemoaning the institution’s affairs.“We are hereby reporting the irresponsible spending habits of the vice-chancellor, Dr Erold Naomab. The vice-chancellor uses his credit card on his international trips and receives S&T,” they claimed. They further said: “The employees of NUST, who have last received a salary raise in 2019, watch every day how the vice-chancellor uses the NUST vehicle to go everywhere while receiving a big monthly car allowance. "We watch how his driver brings his lunch from the hotel school almost every day; his daily lunches paid for by the university. “We watched the vice-chancellor take the entire management team of the university to Swakopmund for a so-called retreat. Why? But when it comes to our salaries or replacing our laptops that are falling apart, we are told there is no money.”NepotismEmployees also claimed that nepotism is rife at the institution, with Naomab’s close associates - including his wife - allegedly flooding NUST.“We see Sylvia Schubert was transferred into another manager position for which she has no qualification or experience and she gets a salary increase. When other staff member ask for the same treatment, they are told the position must be advertised. "Looks like only one tribe is favoured under Dr Naomab’s leadership,” the grievance read.Workers also claimed that Naomab is not accessible.“We are told that we, the low staff members of the university, may only address Dr Naomab through the deputy vice-chancellors. We may not email our vice-chancellor directly. In fact, many staff members have never seen or spoken to our vice-chancellor, more than two years after him joining NUST. “This cannot be what we call leadership. We are tired. We are discouraged and we demand better leadership,” the employees wrote.Naomab and the NUST council have repeatedly denied the allegations.

ACC pushes for Naomab probe

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-06

Please login to leave a comment

ACC pushes for Naomab probe

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-06

Please login to leave a comment

Login