Unam IT boss nabbed for N$1m fraud
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) agents yesterday arrested Tuyoleni Hamata, director for information and communication technology at the University of Namibia (Unam), for allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent transaction in which the university paid over N$2 million instead of N$1 million for Wi-Fi devices.
ACC director-general Paulus Noa yesterday confirmed that an investigation has been lodged against Hamata.
According to him, Hamata allegedly colluded to have the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) hand over Wi-Fi devices it bought at a subsidised price for students to use during the Covid-19 pandemic. “There was a case opened sometime ago - those people really committed corruption.
“You know, during Covid, NSFAF bought Wi-Fi devices for students at a subsidised price. [Hamata] wrote a letter to NSFAF and requested that the surplus devices be forwarded to Unam so they can distribute them to the university branches. They were supposed to pay N$1 million, but he doubled the price and Unam had to pay over N$2 million. NSFAF agreed to give the devices, but on condition that there is no third party involved,” Noa said.
Investigation continues
ACC spokesperson Josefina Nghituwamata said although only one individual has been arrested thus far, the investigation is still in its infancy. “Thus, it is unknown if more people will be arrested or not. We will wait until the investigation is complete,” she said.
NSFAF spokesperson Percy Tjahere said the transfer of devices was dealt with between the fund and the university.
“We cannot speak to the involvement of a third party. Unam is best suited to shed light on the involvement of a third party. All internet connectivity devices were provided to students at institutions of higher learning at half price. NSFAF invoiced Unam and was paid an amount of N$345 per device,” he said.
Unam spokesperson Simon Namesho could not provide comment by the time of going to print.
Hamata remains in custody and is set to appear in court today.
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ACC director-general Paulus Noa yesterday confirmed that an investigation has been lodged against Hamata.
According to him, Hamata allegedly colluded to have the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) hand over Wi-Fi devices it bought at a subsidised price for students to use during the Covid-19 pandemic. “There was a case opened sometime ago - those people really committed corruption.
“You know, during Covid, NSFAF bought Wi-Fi devices for students at a subsidised price. [Hamata] wrote a letter to NSFAF and requested that the surplus devices be forwarded to Unam so they can distribute them to the university branches. They were supposed to pay N$1 million, but he doubled the price and Unam had to pay over N$2 million. NSFAF agreed to give the devices, but on condition that there is no third party involved,” Noa said.
Investigation continues
ACC spokesperson Josefina Nghituwamata said although only one individual has been arrested thus far, the investigation is still in its infancy. “Thus, it is unknown if more people will be arrested or not. We will wait until the investigation is complete,” she said.
NSFAF spokesperson Percy Tjahere said the transfer of devices was dealt with between the fund and the university.
“We cannot speak to the involvement of a third party. Unam is best suited to shed light on the involvement of a third party. All internet connectivity devices were provided to students at institutions of higher learning at half price. NSFAF invoiced Unam and was paid an amount of N$345 per device,” he said.
Unam spokesperson Simon Namesho could not provide comment by the time of going to print.
Hamata remains in custody and is set to appear in court today.
[email protected]
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