Allexer Namundjembo
Former Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) spokesperson John Haufiku has apologised to the university’s former chief legal adviser, Joshua Kaumbi.
The apology follows a statement Haufiku made in July 2023 that resulted in a defamation case.
Kaumbi filed a N$500 000 lawsuit against Haufiku in July 2023 for alleging in a Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) interview that the university had suspended Kaumbi for leaking information to the media.
The remarks were made shortly after Kaumbi’s suspension by Nust management.
According to court documents seen by the Windhoek Observer, during the interview, Haufiku said, “We have suspended the chief legal officer for leaking information to the media. There is reasonable suspicion that it is him.”
When Kaumbi filed the lawsuit, he claimed that Haufiku’s statement had damaged his reputation.
At the time, Haufiku stated that he had dedicated his career to understanding the limits of speech and dialogue and stood by his previous remarks on the issue.
In a document dated 4 November 2025, Haufiku said he recognised that his words may have been misunderstood.
“Upon reflection, I can recognise that the phrasing could have been misunderstood. And that, under ideal circumstances with more time, clearer phrasing could have been made,” the document reads.
He admitted that his statement may have “unintentionally created the impression to some viewers that Mr Kaumbi was already convicted of misconduct.”
“I apologise to Mr Kaumbi and his family. My comments were made without malice or intent to harm, and I regret any distress or reputational discomfort that may have arisen as a consequence,” Haufiku added.
Court documents show that Kaumbi and Haufiku entered settlement talks and have agreed to resolve the matter completely.
In the same year Kaumbi had also challenged his suspension in court.
Months later, Kaumbi dropped the case against NUST. His suspension was lifted on 20 July 2023, and he returned to work five days later.
