Education ministry probes NTA over governance claims

The education ministry is investigating allegations of governance failures and procurement irregularities at the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) after an anonymous petition called for urgent intervention.

The ministry's executive director, Erastus Haitengela, confirmed it had received the undated petition from an anonymous source.

The petition, addressed to the ministry and seen by Namibian Sun, cites an alleged “governance vacuum” following the decision not to extend the tenure of the NTA board earlier this year.

The document alleges that the decision has led to decisions being made outside established protocols and to questionable approval processes for key infrastructure projects.

Responding to questions regarding the petition, Haitengela said the ministry had received the document and was “attending to the allegations thoroughly”.

He added: “There is no such thing as a ‘vacuum’ created by the absence of the board. NTA is a state-owned entity under the education ministry that works closely with management, and the ministry grants all necessary approvals.”

Concerns date back years

Haitengela said some of the issues raised in the petition “are legacy issues that existed before, even under the previous board whose term ended, as with other board tenures”.

The petition lists multiple projects across the country’s vocational training centres (VTCs), including the stalled Okakarara VTC hotel school, delayed since 2019 and now subject to litigation, posing a financial risk to the state.

It also refers to the Khorixas VTC hostel, Keetmanshoop VTC expansion, Gobabis VTC new hostel and Nkurenkuru VTC hostel, linking them to allegations of procurement irregularities, scope mismanagement and cost escalations.

The petition states that these recurring issues point to possible systemic weaknesses in the NTA’s project management and oversight frameworks.

Governance practices

It further raises concerns over procurement processes that may have bypassed legal and legislative procedures, potentially contributing to delays and financial risk.

The petition called for a thorough investigation into the allegations, including an independent inquiry into the NTA's procurement and governance practices.

It also highlights the importance of restoring effective oversight mechanisms to safeguard public resources and ensure completion of vocational training infrastructure projects across the country.

In light of these concerns, the petition calls on the education minister to initiate an independent ministerial investigation and to commission a forensic audit into the identified capital projects.

It also asks that the matter be referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for additional investigation, if necessary, and that the auditor-general be directed to review financial and procurement compliance.

The petition suggests the urgent appointment or reinstatement of the NTA board to restore proper governance, alongside a review of decisions taken in the absence of an active board.

NTA dismisses allegations

In response to the allegations, NTA manager for corporate communications, marketing and advocacy, Mornay Louw, said they are aware of “unverified allegations contained in an unsigned petition” addressed to the education minister and shared on social media.

“The NTA does not typically comment on rumours. However, in considering the petition’s malicious deportment, we have embarked on an immediate internal review and assessment of the serious allegations it contains,” Louw told Namibian Sun.

“While this process is ongoing, we will not be commenting on this matter. We will take appropriate action based on the findings of this review and will provide updates as necessary," he added.

He noted that the NTA maintains and remains committed to the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency in all its business dealings, in line with Namibia’s legal and regulatory frameworks.

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