SIU to probe academic fraud at Fort Hare

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed six new and two amended proclamations authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration at various institutions.

The SIU has on Friday been given the green light to probe several provincial government departments and the affairs of the University of Fort Hare.

According to the SIU, affairs from January 1, 2004, until October 4 of this year will be investigated.

The new scope allows the unit to probe the registration or admission of non-eligible people to enrol for, study for or be awarded degrees, including Bachelor’s, Honour’s, Master’s and PhD degrees.

“Without limiting the scope of non-eligibility grounds, this includes persons who did not have the requisite degrees or matriculation results to enrol for, study for or be awarded the degrees in question,” the SIU explained.

Investigations at Fort Hare:

• The maintenance of the university’s infrastructure from January 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, and zoom in on the installation of CCTV cameras and other security features at the staff village in Alice in the Eastern Cape from March 18 to June 2, 2022.
• The refurbishment and maintenance of student residences at the university’s Alice campus in 2009 and the Capacity Building Programme for the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature.
• The appointment of a Head of Department and the affairs of the university in the Nguni Cattle Development Trust.
• Allegations of serious maladministration and malpractices, as well as conduct which may harm the interest of the public in the affairs of the university regarding the administration and payment of food allowances, accommodation, books, stationery, cash and study-related costs to qualifying students, the unit said.
• The university’s Faculty of Health Sciences’ Albertina Sisulu Executive Leadership Programme in Health and the Master of Public Health Programme including the registration or admission of non-eligible people to enrol for, study for or be awarded degrees.

Probe at provincial transport departments:

Other than the investigations at the university, the provincial Departments of Transport will also be put under the microscope.

The SIU’s investigation will continue to probe:

• The registration and licensing of motor vehicles,
• registration of motor vehicle ownership or licensing details,
• issuing of driving licences, learner’s licences or professional driving permits,
• conversion of foreign driving licences and military driving licences to driving licences,
• and issuing of roadworthy certificates.

Several provincial departments and municipalities will be investigated for tender and contract irregularities:

• The Limpopo Department of Sports, Arts and Culture
• The provincial health departments in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape.
• The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
• The Tlokwe Local Municipality

The SIU will examine if the contracts adhered to National Treasury guidelines and ascertain whether the payments were irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditures or financial losses for the department or the State.

“Beyond investigating maladministration, corruption and fraud, the SIU will identify systemic failures and recommend measures to prevent future losses.”

In line with the SIU Act, the agency said it would refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.

Meanwhile, the agency is also authorised under the SIU Act to initiate civil action in the high court or a special tribunal in its name to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation resulting from acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration. – SAnews.gov.za