Allexer Namundjembo
The principal of Mandume Primary School in Windhoek, Lesley //Hoebeb, has been accused of misconduct in a formal complaint lodged with the police.
Teachers allege that //Hoebeb misused and removed school assets, including laptops, a printer, toilet paper, and stationery.
“Every Friday he goes home with the school printer for personal use,” the complainants wrote.
They further claimed that paper rims and maize intended for the school feeding programme were given to another school.
The complaint also accuses the principal of creating division among staff by instructing some teachers not to speak to certain colleagues.
Teachers said this undermined morale and created tension within the school
The staff members also allege that during the school holiday, //Hoebeb carried out ritual practices on the school premises without informing the school board or staff.
“He painted the staffroom white as a symbol of peace because he believes some colleagues are bewitching him, and he invited relatives and selected teachers to attend a ceremony at the school,” the complaint reads.
Staff members claim he accused colleagues of witchcraft and of personal issues in their private lives.
“These accusations broke the trust and collaboration amongst teachers, bringing unease and fear in the school environment,” the complainants stated.
The letter concludes that //Hoebeb is “not fit to run a school,” citing loss of trust, alleged theft of property, and a medical report that declared him unfit to return to work. It calls for his permanent removal.
Teachers said that despite the formal complaint, no official response has been issued by the authorities.
Questions sent by Windhoek Observer to //Hoebeb via WhatsApp were marked as delivered but had not been answered by the time of publication.
