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In a bid to put an end to a series of infighting at the school, the NUST Council has successfully mediated a dispute between two top officials who were at odds with each other.
Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Vice-Chancellor Dr. Erold Naomab and the institution’s legal chief Joshua Kaumbi have pledged to resolve their differences following a reconciliation meeting held two weeks ago.
Tensions between the two men have begun to adversely affect the running of the agency. According to insiders, the situation is so bad that Kaumbi is not attending board meetings, while Naomab is allegedly seeking external legal advice instead of hiring in-house lawyers.
The fractured relationship between the two was so deep that when the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi, appointed the current board in August 2023, one of her directives was for them to find a lasting solution to break the impasse.
“You will recall that one of the tasks the honourable minister asked this interim committee to accomplish was to resolve the tension between (Nao Mabu) and (Kombi). The minister informed us that the relationship between the two NUST executives had begun to negatively impact the work environment and therefore needed to be addressed urgently,” said NUST committee chairperson Dr Leake Hangala in an email to committee members a week ago.
Insiders revealed that the committee has been working around the clock to ease the tension, which has resulted in the two not speaking to each other for some time.
Earlier this month, Hangara achieved a milestone when he sat down with the two men to negotiate a settlement, culminating in them signing a settlement agreement and pledging to smoke a peace pipe together.
Stressful working conditions
The March 14 meeting revealed tensions between Naomab and Kombi, as well as tense working conditions.
According to a summary of the meeting provided to the publication, “the relationship between Naomab and Kombi became very strained and began to affect the effective and professional relationship between the two men.”
“As a result, this also began to impact the working environment between the two offices and the operational efficiency and governance of the university as a whole,” it said.
The agreement, which was seen by The Namibian Sun, saw the two men admit that their working relationship had broken down and needed to be salvaged for the benefit of the agency.
“Both Naomab and Combe expressed their views on what they believed to be the source and cause of the tension. They both acknowledged that this adversity was detrimental to their professions, their respective offices, and the overall functioning and governance of the university,” the agreement reads.
According to the document, Naomab and Kombi pledged to repair their professional relationship, forgive each other and end their strained relationship.
“Kaumbi will withdraw the complaint he filed against Naomab to demonstrate his commitment to resolving strained relations in a mutually beneficial and good faith manner” and will pursue a Master of Laws degree to gain benefits in university faculty development.
Kaumbi also agreed to resume attending council meetings to “enable him to provide effective legal advice to (Naomab) and/or the council,” the agreement reads.
The Council also decided to send all NUST Executive Committee members to attend a mandatory corporate governance course.
Serious allegations
Last week, in an interview, Hangara said the matter was still open because “it was an internal matter and all the processes had not been completed”.
As far as Kaumbi is concerned, reconciliation between him and Naomab is in the best interest of NUST.
“I remain grateful to the leadership of the Hangaras, the product of the golden generation and the founding fathers of our republic who were given the responsibility of building credible institutions at a very young age,” he said.
Naomabu did not respond when approached for comment.
The relationship between the two allegedly soured after sensitive information about Naomab’s conduct was leaked. He is currently facing an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Naomabu has been accused of misuse of public funds, nepotism, tribalism and abuse of power.
“These are serious allegations of administrative corruption against the management of the college’s public institution and should not be taken lightly,” ACC head Paulus Noa wrote in a letter dated June 22, 2023.
Combe was suspected of being the one who leaked the information and was subsequently suspended by Naomab. His suspension was eventually lifted.
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