Johannesburg – The National Education, Health, and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) is demanding immediate action against University of SA (UNISA) Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula following damning findings of poor governance and graft.
Allegations are that Professor LenkaBula squandered more than R285 000 of UNISA’s money on curtains for her official residence, R600 000 for flooring, and R8 000 for training on how to use a vacuum cleaner.
The professor also allegedly bought a sleek Mercedes Benz for about R2 million.
The damning Independent Assessor Report revealed financial irregularities particularly in supply chain management including policy deviations, disregard for due processes, and other questionable decisions by UNISA’s management and council.
Independent assessor Professor Themba Mosia’s assessment revealed a cauldron of mismanagement, poor leadership, a lack of fiduciary oversight, maladministration, and financial irregularities.
Professor Mosia recommended that UNISA be placed under administration.
Now NEHAWU is calling on Higher Education and Training Minister Dr. Blade Nzimande to immediately implement the recommendations made by Professor Mosia.
“We call on the Minister of Higher Education and Training to fully implement all the recommendations of the report by the Independent Assessor and to immediately dissolve the council and put in place an administrator in the institution,” NEHAWU said on Wednesday.
The union said it was “vindicated” by the report detailing the deplorable state of governance and administration at the institution.
“We are not surprised nor shocked by the outcomes of the investigation by the independent assessor,” NEHAWU said.
The union, which was in the forefront of highlighting problems at the UNISA, also demanded that its members who were sacked be reinstated.
“Furthermore, the report highlights the pervasive culture of fear, intimidation, bullying, and victimisation of workers and students by the Vice-Chancellor and management of the institution,” said NEHAWU.
“Indeed, this proves correctly our assertion that the Vice-Chancellor has no regard for labour laws and this was evident when she terminated the employment contracts of our office bearers without any due process.
“In this regard, we reiterate our call for the immediate reinstatement of our members as employees of the university.”