NUST fight: Haufiku warns Kaumbi

The Namibia University of Science and Technology’s (NUST) spokesperson has urged his colleague to rethink suing him, saying it will cause the institution further reputational damage.

The country’s second largest university has endured bad publicity in recent months stemming from alleged mismanagement, infighting and governance flaws.

NUST chief legal officer Joshua Kaumbi last month lodged a case with the High Court, demanding N$500 000 for alleged defamation after the university’s mouthpiece John Haufiku made “false” and “unlawful” remarks about him on the national broadcaster’s ‘One on One’ talk show.

According to Kaumbi, the remarks hurt his reputation and violated his dignity.

He insisted that Haufiku deliberately wants to paint him as a dishonest and unethical person who is out to taint NUST’s image at all costs.

Kaumbi, who was suspended in April, instructed his lawyers to take Haufiku to task for saying the reason for his suspension was that he leaked information to the media.

“Haufiku knew the investigation was still going on and the sole purpose for making the injurious, false, defamatory and unlawful statements was to harm my reputation due to internal work politics,” he said.

Not personal

Haufiku told Namibian Sun he has no personal vendetta against Kaumbi, has only met him twice and both instances were pleasant. While he is ready to oppose Kaumbi in court, he hopes this will not be necessary, he added.

“My olive branch of professional public relations advice is that the action of a civil suit creates far more reputational risk, which defeats the resolve sought from the courts. It would be wise to reconsider.

“I have made it my life’s work to understand the meaning of words. Everything I have said is supported by evidence, is appropriate to the context it was said in, and professionally, I continue to stand by it.

“I have been and will remain quite economical with the facts of his matter, because it is work. But God forbid it gets to court, I will have no choice but to defend myself unreservedly by giving full disclosure of the facts and circumstances.

"This information would then enter the public domain with dire consequences,” Haufiku said.

Confidential

Haufiku recently called Kaumbi a “mole” on national television, saying there is enough evidence that can support suspicions that Kaumbi leaked confidential information to the media, therefore breaching his oath of office.

In court documents filed last week, Kaumbi said Haufiku conveniently failed to disclose during the TV interview that he was the one that brought this accusation to the table and that he was therefore conflicted.

“Haufiku was aware, in his capacity as an employee of NUST, that matters related to employment and discipline are confidential. He was aware that the investigation had not been completed, as such investigation was confirmed to be still ongoing on 20 July by the vice-chancellor Erold Naomab,” Kaumbi said.

Kaumbi’s suspension was revoked on 20 July, and he was called to report for duty on 25 July - despite the pending investigation against him.

“The lifting of the suspension does not mean NUST has already decided that you are guilty or not of actions or behaviour that is worthy of a disciplinary action. We reiterate that the investigation is ongoing," Naomab said.

“When NUST’s investigation is concluded, you will be advised of further action."

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