NUST clarifies allegations inquiry

By Confidente Reporter

THE Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) has denied reports that its Council resolved to dismiss various allegations levelled against former acting vice chancellor Morne du Toit and the executive committee (EXCO).

Confidente reported last week that the allegations made by anonymous administrative staff ranged from victimisation and isolation of certain staff members, racism, inaction on allegations of misappropriation of funds, bypassing established procedures in hiring certain staff members as well as lack of respect for the executive director and directors in the Ministry of Higher Education, amongst others.

Confidente also reported that the university’s human resources department indicated that it could not fully investigate the allegations as staff members preferred to remain anonymous and failed to provide evidence.

The report was based on a council submission dated June 8 prepared by HR director Riette Duvenhage which noted that the council approved RemCo’s recommendation made on June 5 to dismiss all allegations.

The allegations date back to November 26 2019, when former staff representative to council, Shiwana Ndeunyema made a submission regarding staff concerns relating to EXCO.  It was then decided that the allegations be investigated by the HR department.

NUST’s acting director of marketing and communications, Jordaania Andima this week said the council is yet to receive feedback on inquiry into the allegations.

“The Vice-Chancellor’s office, which is responsible for the submission of management items to the Council agenda, has no record of any Council meeting of 08 June 2020… We wish to place it on record that upon its appointment, NUST Council received allegations against the executive management by staff through the staff representative to Council. The Council then directed the subcommittee of Council to launch an inquiry into the allegations and report to Council with its recommendations for Council’s action. The Council is yet to receive such reports from the directed sub-committee for consideration.

“The university further wishes to state that upon an enquiry, the staff members quoted in the said article deny having had any discussions with your reporter and or any party at NUST.”