Rundu, Zambezi VTC heads face graft charges

EMPLOYEES at the Rundu and Zambezi Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) are disappointed with the way in which authorities have handled a case of alleged corruption levelled against the heads of the two institutions.

The two principals, Felix Mukasa from the Rundu VTC in the Kavango Region and Simon Mubiana from the Zambezi VTC in Caprivi Region, appeared in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Monday. They stood accused of fraud and corruption allegedly committed against their respective centres.In what employees at both institutions say is unacceptable, the two men returned to their jobs immediately after paying N$10 000 bail each.”We feel justice was not done.They stole a lot of money but they were given a light bail-out and still continue with their normal working duties,” reads a letter by the concerned employees, dated Tuesday.It is alleged that since 2004 the two have been involved in ordering items for their centres from non-existent companies and pocketed the money made available by the Ministry of Education.”For example, in one instance they ordered wood for the Joinery and Cabinet Making Trade (one of the courses offered).”They ordered this wood from a non-existing company, took the money when it came and shared it between the two of them,” a source said.Police apparently started investigating the case about a month ago, a source at ZVTC said.This culminated in the two being informed telephonically at the end of last week that they were to appear in court on Monday.Ministry of Education spokesperson Toivo Mvula said the Ministry was investigating the charges against the two principles, but declined to elaborate further.Mukasa declined to comment when contacted yesterday, although Mubiana maintained his innocence.”Please just state that I’m innocent,” he said.They stood accused of fraud and corruption allegedly committed against their respective centres.In what employees at both institutions say is unacceptable, the two men returned to their jobs immediately after paying N$10 000 bail each.”We feel justice was not done.They stole a lot of money but they were given a light bail-out and still continue with their normal working duties,” reads a letter by the concerned employees, dated Tuesday.It is alleged that since 2004 the two have been involved in ordering items for their centres from non-existent companies and pocketed the money made available by the Ministry of Education.”For example, in one instance they ordered wood for the Joinery and Cabinet Making Trade (one of the courses offered).”They ordered this wood from a non-existing company, took the money when it came and shared it between the two of them,” a source said.Police apparently started investigating the case about a month ago, a source at ZVTC said.This culminated in the two being informed telephonically at the end of last week that they were to appear in court on Monday.Ministry of Education spokesperson Toivo Mvula said the Ministry was investigating the charges against the two principles, but declined to elaborate further.Mukasa declined to comment when contacted yesterday, although Mubiana maintained his innocence.”Please just state that I’m innocent,” he said.