Unam to lay charges in exam scam case

THE University of Namibia is to lay criminal charges against some employees in its examination department for allegedly tampering with results or selling exam papers to students.

Katrina Sikeni, Public Relations Officer of Unam, said investigations have been completed against four officials in the examination department and criminal charges will be laid before the end of the month. “The hearings will be scheduled to take place before the institution closes for recess on December 13,” Sikeni said on Friday.Unam has not revealed their names.It is alleged that the officials sold exam papers to students.Others were allegedly involved in marking papers.Earlier, Edwin Tjiramba, Unam’s Director for Communication, said they had asked external auditors to assist “with a thorough investigation process”.Unam had also called in the Police to help with the investigations.In August, Unam suspended Jerry Tobias, the head of its Centre for Public Service Training (CPST) after evidence emerged during a preliminary audit by an external firm that some funds were mismanaged.Sikeni said Tobias, the Director of the CPST, remains on suspension with full pay.”Investigations are not yet complete.The Centre for Public Service falls under the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, headed by the Dean, Mr H Riruako, thus the activities of the Centre continue and have not been affected by the suspension of Mr Tobias,” she said.Tobias has been suspended pending a forensic investigation.The preliminary investigation had produced sufficient evidence to warrant a suspension.Tobias declined to comment, saying the matter was being handled by his lawyers.The CPST provides short modular courses to all levels of managers and administrators.”The hearings will be scheduled to take place before the institution closes for recess on December 13,” Sikeni said on Friday. Unam has not revealed their names.It is alleged that the officials sold exam papers to students.Others were allegedly involved in marking papers.Earlier, Edwin Tjiramba, Unam’s Director for Communication, said they had asked external auditors to assist “with a thorough investigation process”.Unam had also called in the Police to help with the investigations.In August, Unam suspended Jerry Tobias, the head of its Centre for Public Service Training (CPST) after evidence emerged during a preliminary audit by an external firm that some funds were mismanaged.Sikeni said Tobias, the Director of the CPST, remains on suspension with full pay.”Investigations are not yet complete.The Centre for Public Service falls under the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, headed by the Dean, Mr H Riruako, thus the activities of the Centre continue and have not been affected by the suspension of Mr Tobias,” she said.Tobias has been suspended pending a forensic investigation.The preliminary investigation had produced sufficient evidence to warrant a suspension.Tobias declined to comment, saying the matter was being handled by his lawyers.The CPST provides short modular courses to all levels of managers and administrators.