Assessor appointment to probe Unizulu ‘not true’
DHET has denied that new Minister Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize has authorised the appointment of an independent assessor
THE Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has denied reports that new Higher Education Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize has authorised the appointment of an independent assessor to probe the affairs of University of Zululand (Unizulu).
Mkhize replaced Blade Nzimande in last Tuesday’s cabinet reshuffle.
‘We can confirm that this is not true,’ DHET Media Liaison Officer Lehlohonolo Mphuthi said.
In August the department confirmed that axed Minister Nzimande was still to decide on whether to appoint an assessor to look into allegations of financial mismanagement at Unizulu. He requested the university’s Council to respond to the suggestion.
In a letter to the Council, Nzimande reportedly expressed concern over newspaper reports about ‘alleged financial irregularities and flouting of supply chain management processes by senior management of Unizulu’.
The DHET previously told the Zululand Observer that Nzimande was reviewing the Council’s response and had requested the Council on Higher Education (CHE) to conduct an institutional audit.
‘Once the audit is completed the CHE will advise the minister on their findings and recommendations.
The minister will apply his mind in terms of the prescripts of the Higher Education Act.’
Last month the university appeared before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and
Training to addressed the allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
According to minutes published by the Parliamentary Monitoring Group after the portfolio meeting, Unizulu Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Innovations, Prof Gideon de Wet, said the allegations about corruption and mismanagement were false. He said the court had ruled in favour of the institution in three cases in this regard.
He also responded to questions about the issue of the missing R11.5-million, which he said was inherited from the previous administration and was under investigation by the Hawks.
He said Unizulu was aware of the challenges it is facing and are making a collective effort to rectify the situation.
ALSO READ: Unizulu’s multi-million housing splunge
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
