More suspended over Nust ‘hostel scam’

MATHIAS HAUFIKUWINDHOEKThe Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) last week suspended the head of its vocational education department on allegations that he might have played a role in the controversial student accommodation scandal that saw 52 students being evicted by a private landlord.The university’s head of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Simon Mubiana, was suspended by the vice-chancellor, Dr Erold Naomab, last Thursday.The students were evicted after the university failed to settle a N$2.5 million accommodation bill at the Hilton Garden Inn building owned by United Africa Group (UAG).The affected students are funded by the Namibia Training Authority (NTA).NTA sources informed Namibian Sun that the training authority in May refused to settle the accommodation bill unless Nust provided evidence of the procedures followed when it selected the accommodation provider.Under pressureNamibian Sun understands the university’s management was under pressure to act against Mubiana following complaints that he was being treated with kid gloves while his department was responsible for the situation.“The university has reason to believe that you may be guilty of serious misconduct with regard to the issue of student accommodation, and has decided to herewith serve you with a notice of suspension with immediate effect,” reads Mubiana’s suspension letter.Namibian Sun understands the students are currently being accommodated in the Nust hostel following their eviction from the privately owned facility located in Windhoek’s CBD.Three othersThe eviction opened a can of worms which led to the suspension of three senior Nust officials: director of the department of student services Donovan Zealand, director of facilities Oliver Quarmby and lecturer Lance Hauuanga, formerly the head of TVET.They are accused of having played a role in the housing saga that could see the university being dragged to court.They were served with suspension letters on 8 September, in which they were informed that the university had reason to believe that they may be guilty of serious misconduct.Nust last year decided to refurbish its dilapidated hostels – which it said were not fit for use – and therefore sought private service providers to house students requiring hostel accommodation.

More suspended over Nust ‘hostel scam’

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-07

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More suspended over Nust ‘hostel scam’

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-07

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