Unam committee to hear professor’s case

THE University of Namibia says a special committee of the University Council will deal with the disciplinary hearing of the suspended Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research.

Edwin Tjiramba, Unam’s Director for Communication, told The Namibian that a date for Kiangi’s hearing had not been set. Kiangi and the Manager of Unam’s Computer Centre, Kaggere Suresh, were suspended on allegations of theft of 12 computers worth N$70 000 from the university’s premises.Tjiramba said Unam had completed its internal investigations and two had been charged accordingly.Their disciplinary hearings were initially set for April 4 to 6 for Suresh and April 10 to 12 for Kiangi.However, both hearings were postponed at the request of their legal counsel, according to Tjiramba.Suresh’s hearing is now expected to start on May 9.Meanwhile, the suspended head of the University of Namibia’s Centre for Public Service Training (CPST), Jerry Tobias, will also face a disciplinary hearing in the second week of this month.Tobias, who was suspended in August last year, is still receiving his full pay.He was sent home after a preliminary audit by an external firm found that some funds had allegedly been mismanaged.Tobias has been suspended pending a forensic audit.Tobias has declined to comment, saying his lawyers are handling the matter.The CPST offers short courses for managers and administrators.Four other Unam employees were suspended last year on allegations of tampering with examination results.Tjiramba said the investigations into the conduct of Sylvester Kaukungua, Biola Vries, Goldine Lawrence and Elizabeth Shiponeni were completed early this year.”The Directorate Human Resources is now preparing a report for the Vice Chancellor in this regard.The pubic will be informed accordingly,” he said.The process was expected to be completed before the end of April.Kiangi and the Manager of Unam’s Computer Centre, Kaggere Suresh, were suspended on allegations of theft of 12 computers worth N$70 000 from the university’s premises.Tjiramba said Unam had completed its internal investigations and two had been charged accordingly.Their disciplinary hearings were initially set for April 4 to 6 for Suresh and April 10 to 12 for Kiangi.However, both hearings were postponed at the request of their legal counsel, according to Tjiramba.Suresh’s hearing is now expected to start on May 9.Meanwhile, the suspended head of the University of Namibia’s Centre for Public Service Training (CPST), Jerry Tobias, will also face a disciplinary hearing in the second week of this month.Tobias, who was suspended in August last year, is still receiving his full pay.He was sent home after a preliminary audit by an external firm found that some funds had allegedly been mismanaged.Tobias has been suspended pending a forensic audit.Tobias has declined to comment, saying his lawyers are handling the matter.The CPST offers short courses for managers and administrators.Four other Unam employees were suspended last year on allegations of tampering with examination results.Tjiramba said the investigations into the conduct of Sylvester Kaukungua, Biola Vries, Goldine Lawrence and Elizabeth Shiponeni were completed early this year.”The Directorate Human Resources is now preparing a report for the Vice Chancellor in this regard.The pubic will be informed accordingly,” he said.The process was expected to be completed before the end of April.