Namibia: Student Fund Fraud Trial Continues Amidst Financial Crime Concerns

Former Payments Officer Accused of Siphoning Off Funds Meant for Students

The trial of Tomas Amehaiti Konghola, a former payments officer at the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), has sparked concerns about financial crime and accountability in Namibia. Konghola is accused of fraudulent activities, including siphoning off funds meant for students’ living expenses and studies into his own bank account.

Allegations Against Konghola

According to court documents, Konghola allegedly prepared fraudulent payment requisitions totaling N$529,250 between January 2016 and December 2019. These payments were made into the account of Nelson Ndeitunga Sheefeni, a person not entitled to receive any financial assistance from NSFAF.

Witness Testimony

Two witnesses have testified on behalf of the fund: David Nathinge, acting senior manager of operations, and Harris Ntema, an internal auditor. Nathinge explained that Konghola was responsible for managing the funds of certain students and preparing payment requisitions, while Ntema revealed that he had discovered irregularities in Konghola’s financial activities.

Irregularities Uncovered

Ntema found that between October 2016 and April 2019, Konghola processed payments in favor of Sheefeni, using different students’ personal particulars but replacing their bank account numbers with those belonging to Sheefeni. He also concluded that once the payments were made, Konghola would delete the bank numbers of Sheefeni from the payments database to conceal the fraud.

Expert Witness Testimony

The fund’s expert witness revealed that Konghola had made a false declaration about his financial status, stating that he had no outside interests or additional income. However, Ntema discovered that Konghola received large sums of money into his bank account during this period, totaling N$3,945,778.57, which exceeded his salary by N$2,566,034.17.

Judge’s Ruling

Despite Konghola’s application for absolution from the instance, Judge Boas Usiku refused to grant the request, citing insufficient evidence. The judge concluded that there was enough evidence on which a court could find in favor of the fund and ordered Konghola to pay the costs of the application.

Case Postponed

The case has been postponed to next month for further trial dates, sparking concerns about the vulnerability of students dependent on grants and the need for stronger financial crime controls in Namibia. The trial is being closely watched by observers who are eager to see justice served and accountability upheld in this high-profile case.

Implications

The ongoing trial highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in financial institutions. It also raises concerns about the potential consequences of fraudulent activities on students who depend on grants for their education. As the trial continues, it is essential that those responsible are held accountable and that measures are put in place to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.