Explosive report exposes Unisa’s VC Professor Puleng Lenkabula

A scathing report on alleged maladministration, by Professor Themba Mosia, has revealed how Vice-Chancellor Puleng Lenkabula is bringing the University of South Africa(Unisa) to its knees.

INDEPENDENT REPORT FINDINGS

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The 300 page independent report commissioned by Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, found that Lenkabula has been flouting procurement procedures for five years. Lenkabula is alleged to have slurped on renovations to her VC residence up to the tune of R3million. Upgrades includes R277 000 for furniture, R600 000 on flooring. The report also details the purchase of a Mercedes-Benz SUV at a cost of almost R2 million and office renovations.

Mosia also exposed how Lenkabula added on additional staff to her office, which included a chef and a head of social media. The new team would cost the University approximately R14million. Other staff members received salary increases and backpay dating back to 2007.

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“It has also come to my attention that three personal assistants in the office of the VC received substantial backpay following backdated upgrades in post levels. The total backpay for the three personal assistants amounted to R2,9m”, says Mosia.

SADTU CONCERNS

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has expressed concern over the alleged corruption and maladministration at institution that could adversely affected the quality of education the students receive.

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“SADTU is saddened that a national university is being brought down on its knees with impunity. We remind government that we
remain pained by the plight of many of our children who cannot afford university fees whilst university executives are feeding off the hard-earned money of the poor and disenfranchised”, the union said in a statement.

“As the National Senior Certificate results improve every year, most spaces are needed at universities. What we cannot afford is to have UNISA being mismanaged to the detriment of the entire education sector.”, it adds.

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SADTU has called on Nzimande to take decisive action as per the recommendations of Mosia and to approach law enforcement agencies to conduct further investigations where criminal conduct is identified.

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