Unam chiefs in the pound seats

THE top brass at the University of Namibia have given each other salary increases without the approval of the University Council.

This was done a week after they complained that salary increases for general staff would result in a shortfall of N$5,7 million and that the university would need to watch its expenses. Despite the apparent stringent budget, the management had two days earlier given themselves a six per cent increase on top of a N$250 per month transport or car allowance increase for all deans, directors, deputy deans, deputy directors and heads of departments.The Namibian is in possession of documents indicating that the same management reluctantly gave salary increases of six per cent to the staff falling in the bargaining unit of the Namibia Public Workers’ Union (Napwu) and the Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) in April.The increases, signed with the unions on April 2, were backdated to January.When the management tabled the wage agreement with the unions at the Unam Council meeting on April 11, the Bursar said there would be a N$5,7 million shortfall which would be partly funded by N$3 million saved from vacancies in the higher education institution that had not been filled.”The Bursar was certain that the excess could be financed through stringent budget control measures,” the Council minutes read.The vehicle allowances for the Vice Chancellor’s management committee were also increased but the memorandum of April 5 did not specify how much they got.However, The Namibian’s information indicates that Vice Chancellor Professor Lazarus Hangula’s revised car allowance now stands at N$13 140 a month, while his two deputies (Pro Vice Chancellors) each receive N$10 512 a month and the Bursar, Registrar and Librarian each collect N$8 541 a month.”This boils down to betrayal of trust.During the wage negotiations last year, we agreed that the management must take the blame for the situation Unam finds itself in and that they must thus not get an increase.We have announced it to our members as such,” said one unionist at Unam.The Namibian has forwarded a number of questions to Unam’s public relations office but was still awaiting a response by the time of going to press.It is believed that Napwu and Nantu treat the matter as corruption and have approached the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate.Unam is already in hot water after complaints of mismanagement, corruption and nepotism were laid with the Office of the Ombudsman last week.The Ombudsman’s office is investigating allegations that rules and procedures were flouted in the appointment of several staff by the Vice Chancellor and the extension of contracts of expatriate staff without following the correct procedures.It is alleged that Hangula has “unlimited” powers and he abuses them.Despite the apparent stringent budget, the management had two days earlier given themselves a six per cent increase on top of a N$250 per month transport or car allowance increase for all deans, directors, deputy deans, deputy directors and heads of departments.The Namibian is in possession of documents indicating that the same management reluctantly gave salary increases of six per cent to the staff falling in the bargaining unit of the Namibia Public Workers’ Union (Napwu) and the Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) in April.The increases, signed with the unions on April 2, were backdated to January.When the management tabled the wage agreement with the unions at the Unam Council meeting on April 11, the Bursar said there would be a N$5,7 million shortfall which would be partly funded by N$3 million saved from vacancies in the higher education institution that had not been filled. “The Bursar was certain that the excess could be financed through stringent budget control measures,” the Council minutes read.The vehicle allowances for the Vice Chancellor’s management committee were also increased but the memorandum of April 5 did not specify how much they got.However, The Namibian’s information indicates that Vice Chancellor Professor Lazarus Hangula’s revised car allowance now stands at N$13 140 a month, while his two deputies (Pro Vice Chancellors) each receive N$10 512 a month and the Bursar, Registrar and Librarian each collect N$8 541 a month.”This boils down to betrayal of trust.During the wage negotiations last year, we agreed that the management must take the blame for the situation Unam finds itself in and that they must thus not get an increase.We have announced it to our members as such,” said one unionist at Unam.The Namibian has forwarded a number of questions to Unam’s public relations office but was still awaiting a response by the time of going to press.It is believed that Napwu and Nantu treat the matter as corruption and have approached the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate.Unam is already in hot water after complaints of mismanagement, corruption and nepotism were laid with the Office of the Ombudsman last week.The Ombudsman’s office is investigating allegations that rules and procedures were flouted in the appointment of several staff by the Vice Chancellor and the extension of contracts of expatriate staff without following the correct procedures.It is alleged that Hangula has “unlimited” powers and he abuses them.