Namcol opens criminal case against employee for embezzlement

The Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) has opened a criminal case against an employee suspected of embezzling N$305 770 from the institution.

This matter came to light two weeks ago when Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda raised the matter on social media.

“Dear Namibians, Namcol employees have been stopped from asking questions on the WhatsApp group about the stolen million. There is a disagreement – some in management want to keep the theft hidden while others want the public to know the truth.

“Since they are zigzagging, the public is hereby informed that a female accountant at Namcol transferred millions into her personal bank account,” he wrote on Facebook on 21 August.

Amupanda questioned why this information was being hidden from the public, suggesting that more people may have been involved in misappropriating student funds.

On 31 August, Namcol issued a statement confirming preliminary findings that approximately N$305 770 may have been misappropriated by a staff member.

Namcol spokesperson Laimi Mbango said the college plans to engage external independent auditors to determine the extent of the allegations.

“Namcol encourages individuals with relevant information to come forward and provide it to the appropriate authorities, including the Namibian Police or the Anti-Corruption Commission,” she said.

Mbango refuted allegations of a cover-up by the institution and said the implicated staff member in the alleged wrongdoing had voluntarily resigned and signed an acknowledgment of debt.

This, according to Mbango, paves the way for the recovery of the misappropriated funds.

“Namcol assures its stakeholders, partners and the public at large that every necessary step has been taken to address this incident swiftly, fairly and transparently,” said Mbango.

Amupanda has in the meantime questioned why the theft is being treated as debt.

“Was it a loan? Apparently ‘preliminary findings’ show it’s more than N$300 000 yet they will give a tender to an investigator. Am told one of the chain members has already started deleting information. Oto Afraida Taaate!”