UPDATE: Unizulu rector in police probe

POLICE and the Public Protector have been asked to investigate serious allegations of fraud and corruption levelled against the University of Zululand Vice Chancellor, Professor Xoliswa Mtose.

This after a university lecturer, Hlakaniphani Jamile, who is ‘gatvol of her continuous irregular expenditure’ opened a case of fraud and corruption against Mtose at Mtunzini Police Station on Thursday.

In his affidavit seen by the Zululand Observer, Jamile, who has been a lecturer at the university since 2003 and is also deputy secretary of NEHAWU at the institution, alleges that Mtose:

• Irregularly appointed a security company at R285 000 per day totalling to R9-million per month to quell student unrest,

• Illegally spent close to R35-million to buy luxury accommodation for university executives including herself,

• Plans to spend R72.5-million to buy student accommodation in Richards Bay at inflated prices,

• Fraudulently awarded former SRC president Wandile Mathebula academic marks,

• Offers students ‘bogus’ qualifications; and

• Her appointment is fraudulent and must be investigated.

Suspended
Jamile was suspended on 21 August and is facing six charges including one of gross misconduct after he spoke to the media in violation of the university code of conduct and after he requested the academic records of Mathebula, whose qualification is being investigated by the Public Protector.

This after he was exonerated following an internal investigation.

Reliable sources have confirmed the employee who gave Jamile the record ‘was asked to hand in her resignation’.

‘All the charges against me are frivolous and I am targeted for trying to verify whether or not former SRC president, who is close to Mtose, had his academic records doctored in order for him to graduate,’ Jamile said on Friday.

Jamile said he was forced to open the case because he is trying to save the university’s reputation and integrity.

‘I am gatvol about her continuous irregular expenditure of student funds on things that have nothing to do with the university’s academic mandate. How does she justify spending R35-million to buy luxury houses for people who have accommodation already.’

He claims that he has ‘prima facie’ evidence on all the allegations I have levelled against Mtose in my affidavit’.

His affidavit adds: ‘Against the backdrop of Fees Must Fall, South Africa as a whole has declared that there are limited funds for education.

‘In the interest of the public and to secure the futures of the poor students, whose only hope to get out of poverty is to get an education, we request the SAPS to investigate the above allegations.’
Retaliation

The university’s lawyer, Dunstan Farrel on Saturday said Jamile was ‘a disgruntled employee who is facing allegations of a very serious nature at a disciplinary inquiry.’

Farrel said that allegations in Jamile’s affidavit ‘are simply wild and untrue’.

‘We advise the university has laid criminal charges against Jamile’s for fraud and theft and this is further evidence of Jamile attempt at retaliation against the university.’

Jamile is accused of stealing a university laptop which he is adamant he never received as there are no records he signed for it, and also obtaining Mathebula’s academic records in order to use them to shame the former SRC president in the media.

He has argued in his disciplinary hearing that he acted in his union leadership capacity, and could thus not be held accountable by the university for perceived wrongdoing.

‘The university and vice chancellor will certainly be defending the charges should the state decide to proceed with the matter,’ Farrel added.

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