Naomab’s contract ends in two months
The Namibia University of Science and Technology’s (Nust) governing council has suspended vice chancellor Erold Naomab over alleged mismanagement, including a N$700 000 legal fee claim linked to his contract renewal.
The governing council took the decision during a meeting on Tuesday night, placing Naomab on precautionary suspension pending an independent forensic investigation.
The suspension comes just two months before Naomab’s contract, which the council has refused to renew, expires.
The university is accusing him of engaging a private legal firm that provided the university with a quote of N$700 000 for services to fight for his contract renewal and secure a legal opinion supporting his reappointment.
Nust is now allegedly refusing to pay the fees.
Nust governing council chairperson Leake Hangala yesterday said he would comment on the matter later.
In his letter dated 8 October 2025, Hangala informed minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp that the suspension followed a series of complaints about the vice chancellor’s conduct.
Hangala said the allegations include “improper use of company funds or resources, giving unfair advantages based on personal relationships or affiliations, acting beyond assigned responsibilities or powers, sharing sensitive information with unauthorised third parties, ignoring established rules and procedures, demonstrating dishonesty or lack of moral principles, and refusing to follow legitimate instructions”.
The legal firm at the centre of the controversy allegedly quoted Nust about N$700 000 for legal advice sought by Naomab, even though the university had not formally appointed the entity.
Sources at the university said they were surprised to see Naomab’s legal representative allowed to sit in on a Nust senate meeting.
As part of the university’s governing structure, the senate is responsible for academic governance and policymaking.
It plays a role in supporting the vice chancellor and ensuring the smooth academic functioning of the institution.
In a meeting held in July, Naomab allegedly had a heated argument with one of the executive members, during which a staff member suggested Naomab’s legal representative should be excused.
Hangala said the council’s decision to suspend Naomab was “procedural and does not imply any presumption of guilt”.
He said the university has appointed Andrew Niikondo as acting vice chancellor and Erlig Kavita as acting deputy vice chancellor for teaching and learning to ensure continuity.
“The decisions were not taken lightly. They reflect the council’s unwavering commitment to good governance, ethical leadership, and the advancement of its strategic priorities,” Hangala said.
Naomab’s troubles follow months of internal friction after the council informed him in April that his employment contract, expiring on 31 December, would not be renewed.
The development prompted him to seek the minister’s intervention, a move Steenkamp reportedly declined, saying she could not interfere with council decisions.
Naomab, who took office in 2020 after a contested recruitment process, did not respond to questions sent to him yesterday.
Hangala said the council acted “in the best interest of the institution and to preserve the integrity of Nust’s governance framework”.
According to a 40-page whistleblower document circulated earlier this year, Naomab and senior Nust officials are accused of corruption, nepotism, and financial mismanagement, including irregular procurement, inflated contracts, and favouritism with tender allocation.
The document states that Naomab allegedly used university funds to obtain a legal opinion to support his reappointment, a matter now linked to the N$700 000 legal fee dispute that allegedly triggered his suspension.
The document also raises broader governance concerns, alleging “systematic looting” and warning that without decisive action, “Nust’s integrity and legacy will be destroyed beyond repair”.
The Anti-Corruption Commission has said it will only act if whistleblowers present sworn statements, rejecting anonymous leaks as insufficient for formal investigation.
Questions sent to Steenkamp were not answered by the time of going to print yesterday.
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