Principal refutes theft allegations

Ohainengena Junior Primary School principal Cecilia Paulus has community members up in arms after reportedly collecting funds for a project that never saw the light of day.

Paulus last week said she is aware of the accusations being levelled against her, which she described as distorted and aimed at tarnishing her standing in the community and denied the allegations.

Community members provided The Namibian with documentation this week indicating that Paulus had asked them for a contribution of N$200 each to go towards the digging of a water pan for the animals at the village.

Paulus allegedly collected the funds totalling N$7 400 in May this year.

She is accused of using her position as principal, claiming to be acting on behalf of the head of the traditional community and theft under false pretence.

Paulus said she acted in her capacity as the wife of the headman, Festus Paulus, in engaging the community and collecting funds.

“We collected the funds from those who could contribute, but later we were given a free dam space and people were refunded. We only have three people who have not come to collect their money, but everyone was informed.

“Those people are just out to tarnish my name, even the amount they claimed I collected and the number of people who gave funds was exaggerated,” said Paulus. The community, through bishop Festus Thomas of the Body of Christ political party, wrote to the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture to intervene. “The principal used her position to lure community members into giving her money and that money is not accounted for to date.

“We don’t know what it was used for and Paulus has refused to show proof and receipts of what she used the money for,” Thomas noted in the letter.

Parents have also threatened to register a case of theft with the police in the Ohangwena region if their concerns are not addressed and their money refunded.

Education executive director Sanet Steenkamp confirmed that her office received complaints regarding the matter in September.

“We understand that this matter is of great importance to you and the Ohainengena community as a whole. However, after thorough review it has become clear that our ministry does not possess the necessary mandate and jurisdiction to address and resolve this specific issue,” said Steenkamp.

“We believe that the best way to address your concerns is to direct them to the appropriate offices or authorities that have the mandate to intervene. This will ensure your complaints are handled effectively and in accordance with the relevant regulations and procedures.”

Representing the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority, Ephraim Weyulu confirmed the dam initiative was prompted by the prevailing drought situation and scarcity of water.

“I know that money was collected from some community members and it was returned too after things did not work out as expected.”

Weyulu asserted that Paulus acted in her rightful capacity a the spouse of the village headman.

“In the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority, when one is elected as headman or headwoman, their spouses are made to take the same oath which gives them the right to partake in the affairs of the village and the traditional authorities. When money is collected from community members, the headman is never involved. That money is usually signed off by three witnesses,” said Weyulu.