I appointed Professor Chris de Beer as Administrator for the University of Zululand on 18 April 2011 in terms of section 41 A of the Higher Education Act following the report and recommendations of the Independent Assessor submitted to me during January 2011.
I appointed the Administrator and dissolved the University Council after consultation with the Council and Management. The terms of reference of Professor De Beer, amongst others, included the task to initiate and conclude a forensic audit of the affairs of the University and to take appropriate action against individuals, and otherwise, as a result of any investigation, including appropriate disciplinary measures, against staff and students who might have contravened University policies, codes of conduct, or regulations. Regular reports were received from Prof De Beer highlighting issues that required immediate attention.
To give effect to the mandate of the Administrator a group of forensic auditors was appointed to conduct a comprehensive institutional forensic audit of the University’s affairs. The investigation included areas such as procurement, admission and registration of students, management and governance.
I have received the Forensic Audit Report. I am also informed that, following the findings of the forensic audit team, the University is currently taking appropriate disciplinary actions against 15 members of staff and students and that more might follow.
The audit team reported serious and repeated transgressions of University policy and procedures pertaining to:
- various aspects of academic administration and access to official student data;
- processes and protocol for the issuing and auditing of blank degrees and diploma certificates, leading to University employees being in possession of large numbers of blank certificates which could have been used to manufacture false certificates;
- the irregular admission and registration of students who do not meet the minimum admission criteria; and repeated infringement of the procurement policies and procedures leading to preferential treatment and self-enrichment by some members of Council and staff.
Of particular concern is the fact that there are clear indications of collusion between some students and staff in unacceptable practices undermining the educational mission of the University with devastating consequences for the academic stature and credibility of the institution.
This should not be allowed to continue. It should be noted by those who do not carry the interests of the institution at heart, that it is easy to break down the academic stature of an institution and to engage in practices impacting negatively on the credibility of its qualifications and institutional culture, and yet difficult to rebuild the image of an institution. It must be emphasised that these unacceptable practices and behaviour not only pose a real threat to the future of individual institutions but also to the education system as a whole.
During interviews carried out by the forensic auditors it also emerged that some students admitted that they were irregularly registered and were required to pay a ‘facilitation fee’ that ranged from R1500 to R3 900 per student. Practices, such as these, must be rooted out as they can completely destroy the image of the university.
The forensic auditors also found that there were many procurement irregularities in which suppliers owned, or co-owned by University employees, were providing services to the University without staff declaring their interests. This is a clear violation of acceptable procurement procedures and constitutes unethical behaviour.
It is also clear from the findings of the auditors that in many instances staff did not achieve their performance outcomes, which might have had an impact on the learning experience of students. For example, a number of applications for exemption certificates on behalf of students submitted to Higher Education South Africa (HESA) were eventually cancelled, due to the fact that the required further information was not provided timeously by the university.
This seriously undermines the principle of service delivery in the public sector and the Batho Pele principles. As access to quality education for learners is central to our transformational objectives, institutions are again called to upon to take decisive action against any member of staff guilt of malpractices that endanger the mission of the university.
Under the guidance and leadership of the Administrator and the Vice-Chancellor, the university is fully functional. Renewed emphasis is placed on good governance and efforts are afoot to refocus the University on its core tasks of teaching and learning, research and community engagement. A process of academic renewal has commenced which will restore the academic pride of the institution.
It is heartening to note that students, staff, alumni and the broader community are embracing efforts to redirect and revitalise the institution to again play the special role for which it earned the respect of many in the past.
It is my sincere hope that the University of Zululand will, moving forward, benefit greatly from the outcome of the forensic investigation through policy development, a revision of processes and procedures and a realignment of institutional culture. I remain committed to normalising governance and management at the University as soon as possible.
The department would like to reiterate that Councils and management of all our Universities, and other institutions of higher education and training, are compelled to implement systems that will ensure and promote ethical conduct, fairness and transparency in institutions. It remains the responsibility of governance and management structures to ensure well developed and effective internal control systems that will prevent fraud, corruption and mal-administration.
The department again appeals to all stakeholders, in particular members of Councils and staff, to comply with accepted governance principles by declaring their financial interests.
I also wish to take this opportunity, as universities undertake registration that management ensure that abusive or humiliating orientation programmes do not take place. Such barbaric practices have no place in our higher education institutions. Instead we expect universities to ensure that orientation programs should be assisting new students to settle quicker in our institutions, especially students who come from poor backgrounds.
For additional information and requests for interviews, contact:
Vuyelwa Qinga
Cell: 082 877 3898
E-mail: Qinga.V@dhet.gov.za
