Corruption among concerns raised by Nehawu
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) representatives failed to appear before parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education, citing the need for more time to respond to allegations of corruption levelled against some of the university’s senior managers.
This comes after the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) raised a number of concerns following allegations of corruption, maladministration, nepotism and abuse of power at the university north of Pretoria.
Nehawu had prepared evidence to present to the portfolio committee in parliament in Cape Town on Tuesday, November 19, but the higher education
institution’s representatives failed to honour the invitation.
Workers’ union Nehawu released a statement stating it had been trying to get justice for a while but ha s been unsuccessful and decided to write to the
portfolio committee last month to save the institution from collapsing.
“We view this as sheer arrogance as they were noticed two weeks ago about the meeting. Moreover, we view this as a delaying
tactic because they are well aware that they are close to being exposed for the unacceptable manner in which they have been governing and managing the university,” said Nehawu.
The union suggested that the university be summoned to appear before the portfolio committee by November 27.
“We welcome the decision by the portfolio committee to conduct a preliminary inquiry into these allegations… We will present all evidence available at our disposal to the committee and we shall avail ourselves as and when we are needed ,” read the statement.
“We will do everything in our power and use all the resources available at our disposal to ensure corruption is uprooted at TUT and all other universities, including TVET colleges .”
TUT asked for more time for the university council chairman, Dr Bandile Masuku, to prepare a comprehensive response for the portfolio committee hearing.
TUT said: “Despite an apology from Dr Masuku on Monday that management and council would not be able to appear yesterday [Tuesday] morning, the hearing continued. The council and management of TUT did not intentionally disregard parliament and the exercise of its mandate,” said the university in a statement.
“There has never been any malicious intent on the side of the TUT council or management to defy a request from parliament.”
By Boitumelo Kgobotlo
kgobotlob@156.38.205.90
