Outrage over lavish spending on Unisa’s Vice-Chancellor’s residence and vehicle

The University of South Africa (Unisa) is facing criticism of irregular expenditure after it was alleged that over R285 000 was spent on curtains for Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula’s official residence, despite an outside company providing a quote of only R20 630 for the same curtains.

A report by TimesLive revealed that the extravagant expenditure has raised concerns about financial mismanagement and lack of oversight within the institution.

The report revealed that Professor Themba Mosia, an independent assessor appointed by higher education minister Blade Nzimande, conducted a probe into Unisa’s affairs and expressed his interest in examining the quality of the curtains.

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Renovations, furniture and appliances

During his visit to the residence, known as Cloghereen, Mosia also assessed the renovations, new furniture, and appliances that were purchased.

Mosia’s report highlighted that the university paid a staggering R285 228 for the purchase of curtains, which surprised him due to their sheer nature.

The report stated that while Mosia refrained from apportioning blame to the Vice-Chancellor regarding the occupation of the property, he criticized the council for neglecting the safety and security concerns of LenkaBula and the excessive spending without fully utilizing the property.

Mosia told that despite her denial of involvement in operational processes, staff members informed him that LenkaBula took an active interest in the renovation, even specifying her preferences for various items.

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The report said that LenkaBula justified her involvement by expressing dissatisfaction with procurement practices that did not provide value for money. She claimed that her concerns were focused on her personal safety and the security of her family, citing previous threats to their lives.

Mercedes-Benz GLE 400d

Another questionable expense highlighted in the report was the purchase of a new Mercedes-Benz GLE 400d for LenkaBula, amounting to R1.9 million, exceeding the allocated budget of R1.2 million.

When questioned about the excessive cost, LenkaBula justified the purchase as part of her remuneration package, claiming that it aligned with a previous council decision. However, Mosia deemed the procurement of a luxury vehicle with elaborate specifications as unnecessary, particularly considering that her predecessors utilised less luxurious vehicles.

Mosia emphasised that while the Vice-Chancellor’s dignity should be respected, Unisa’s difficult financial situation and the challenges faced by its students require a degree of frugality and compassion from its leadership. He expressed concern that the spending on luxury items conveyed a message of indulgence rather than prioritising the needs of the students.

The purpose of Mosia’s investigation was to advise Minister Nzimande on the problems plaguing Unisa and the necessary measures to restore good governance and management.