THE marriage between Namibia University of Science and Technology’s vice chancellor Tjama Tjivikua and senior employee Neveara Olivier is a private affair.
This was the response of the chairperson of the NUST council, Evelyn Breuer, when asked about the conflict of interest in the relationship between Tjivikua and Olivier, who is the director of planning and international relations at the same institution and reports to him.
The two married last week in a private ceremony in Windhoek.
Breuer, who is said to have been a maid of honour at the wedding, yesterday said “I cannot discuss private matters of other people”.
She also denied having been a maid of honour at the union last week. “I was not the maid of honour,” Breuer said while questioning where The Namibian got such information from.
Tjivikua could not be reached for comment as he did not reply to emails, messages or calls.
On numerous occasions reported on complaints levelled against Tjivikua that Olivier was receiving special treatment and benefits which other staff members do not receive.
In July this year, the Anti-Corruption Commission directed the Polytechnic of Namibia (now NUST) council to investigate administrative matters involving Tjivikua and Olivier for alleged corruption.
The call for a probe was discussed at a meeting which took place on 19 November 2015, where council members met with Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
The issue of favouritism and the payment of more than N$400 000 for Olivier’s study at Walden University in the US was also discussed. This is seen as one of the many benefits that others do not receive.
At the time, the ACC also asked the council to investigate how Olivier was promoted to the position of director of planning and international relations without the position being advertised.
The ACC further asked the council to probe why Olivier has been out of the office for unexplained reasons and allegedly taking questionable international trips.
Meanwhile, the division in the council has resulted into the firing of the entire body by the minster of higher education, Itah Kandjii-Murangi.
The minister informed them in a letter dated 20 November 2015 that their term of office as council members for the university started on 17 November 2015 and ended at the end of the same month.
understands that councillors who have been outspoken about Tjivikua and Olivier are unlikely to return.
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