University of Namibia Suspended its Pro-Vice Chancellor Of Finance and Administration

Boniface Mutumba Pro-VC, Finance and Administration

THE University of Namibia yesterday suspended its Pro-Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Boniface Mutumba.

Unam director of communications Edwin Tjiramba called an ad-hoc press conference where he told the media that Council chairman Professor Filemon Amaambo had decided to suspend Mutumba with immediate effect pending an internal investigation.

Tjiramba said Mutumba had not been formally charged with misconduct yet and that the suspension was to allow investigations to continue without hinderance.

He also said that once the investigations are completed, the university council will decide whether to charge Mutumba or not.

Tjiramba refused to say why Mutumba was suspended or what the university was investigating.

Sources say that Mutumba has been dogged by controversy around his conduct with students and staff, while allegations of maladministration and tender irregularities have also been thrown around.

Sources said the trigger to Mutumba's suspension could be a questionable tender that was recently awarded by the university under his supervision.

Mutumba's allies have, however, said that he is a victim of a power struggle within the corridors of power at the university. They also said there are people after Mutumba's position since his term ends mid next year.

He remains on full pay, and it is not known how long the investigation will take.

The university council has until today to decide on who will act in Mutumba's position while his fate is being decided.

Mutumba could not be reached on his mobile phone at the time of going to print.