By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Independent Assessor Report commissioned by Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande into allegations of maladministration at Unisa, revealed that the extravagant expenditure has raised concerns about financial mismanagement and lack of oversight within the institution.
The 309-page document details findings on various issues, including the state of governance at the institution, the performance of management and the council, financial management, upgrades to the vice-chancellor’s home, claims of intimidation and bullying, and the leaking of confidential reports.
Professor Themba Mosia, an independent assessor, detailed how millions of rands were misused under the watch of both the university’s council and management.
Mosia found that since 2016, Unisa was plagued by governance issues.
The report said for several years the lines of authority between the university’s council and management were blurred.
It also found that there was a pattern of denial and ignorance by both the council and management, even in situations where there was clear wrongdoing.
Some of the wrongdoing included flouting of procurement processes, irregular appointment of staff members as well as huge salary increases.
In his report, Mosia said several allegations, including “mismanagement”, were made against vice-chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula.
“The period following the appointment of the VC in 2021, up to the conclusion of my independent assessment (March 2023), does not show any significant improvements in the governance arrangements of the university. Although some council members argued that the current council is still new, I do not agree with the argument as only a few new members were recently appointed, the majority of council members have served for a couple of years. Therefore, this does not exonerate the current council from accountability on the problems facing the university and/or numerous questionable decisions in this regard,” Mosia wrote.
He said allegations that LenkaBula approved salary adjustments for staff in her office from 2007 amounting to R2.9 million were found to be true. It has also been alleged that LenkaBula was involved in refurbishing the VC’s official residence.
Mosia found the management committee, of which LenkaBula is a senior leader, was “not working as a coherent team”.
“In a number of instances, they are part of the problem themselves. I believe they lack the maturity required to effectively manage a complex university.”
He further added that he did not understand how some of the members of the committee came to be “entrusted with such a colossal responsibility to run the institution of this size and depth”.
“There is overwhelming evidence that the functioning and efficacy of both council and management fall below an expected standard of an effective university that looks after the best interests of its students, staff and resources,” Mosia wrote.
Following the scathing findings, Mosia said Higher Education must consider the legislation change for institutions of higher learning to be subjected to the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act.
Mosia made several recommendations for Unisa, including revising the student governance model, reviewing the structure of the Office of the Registrar, intensive training for the human resources department on people management, and that the senate reclaim its “status as a custodian of curriculum transformation, high academic standards, robust engagement on teaching and learning, research and innovation, social justice, social entrepreneurship, digital transformation and a caring culture for students and academic staff”.
The purpose of Mosia’s investigation was to advise Minister Nzimande on the problems plaguing Unisa and the necessary measures to restore good governance.