The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is embroiled in a scandal that saw students being fraudulently awarded marks without sitting for exams. Sunday World has seen a forensic report dated October 3, which details the shocking extent of dishonesty that ensued during last year’s exam season.
The report reveals that Dr Eric Blanco Niyitunga, a lecturer who was part of the university’s School of Public Management, Governance and Public Policy, was found guilty of gross negligence in relation to the scandal. He has since been fired by the institution.
Another culprit, Reckson Maluleke, an administrator in the same school, resigned once news of the alleged fraud was revealed to management.
The case investigated by the university involves a student, Lorraine Lechesa, who fraudulently received marks while she was not present to write the exam.
Niyitunga, in his submission to the university’s disciplinary body, was clear that he did his due diligence as a lecturer and checked all the marks once they were recorded by Maluleke.
However, the fact that he was aware of Lechesa’s absence on the day of the test but failed to immediately flag it, raised alarm.
“He further explained that in terms of the school practice, it was difficult for one to see Ms Lechesa’s fraudulent marks as the practice of the school provides for checking borderline students and that unless there was a specific reason to look for a particular student there was no further reason to check for anything.
“In this particular case, there was no specific reason for Dr Niyitunga to look for Ms Lechesa, because he already knew very well that Ms Lechesa did not write the main exam,” the report reads. As a result of his actions and or omission, the student obtained a final pass mark for the module, which led to her acceptance into the MA in Public Management, Governance and Public Policy Programme for 2024.
His close relationship with Lechesa was also a bone of contention and opened up the
possibility for foul play. Niyitunga, however, dismissed these allegations, adding that there was nothing untoward with their relationship.
While Dr Niyitunga portrayed himself as a whistleblower because he informed his colleagues, including the head of department, about of the fact that Lechesa did not write the exam, the university does not share the same sentiments. The report states that he took his time to report the matter to cover up his own negligence.
“When Lechesa informed him on 01 February 2024 that she was admitted in the Masters’ Programme, one would have expected him to ask her how, as he was certain that she did not write any of the exams, including the special exam that in his view she qualified for in circumstances where she did not. Instead of quizzing her, he congratulated her,” according to the report.
“I find that he did this so that he could have witnesses to this narrative that he created that sought to paint him as a victim. He was aware that his negligence would be discovered,” the report states.
The investigation further revealed that there were five other students who fraudulently received marks from Maluleke without having sat for the final exam for two different modules taught by two different lecturers,” according to the report.
That’s not the only department giving away free marks or allowing copying during tests. They must investigate last year’s exams from Civil Engineering technology departments at UJ DFC.
That’s not the only department giving away free marks or allowing copying during tests. They must investigate last year’s exams from Civil Engineering technology department at UJ DFC. Especially the honours programme, too many distinctions were obtained by students in that department because they are allowed to discuss and copy during closed book assessments. This is not hearsay.
You are an idiot, you copy now you complain
He’s being sacrificed for huge corruption being covered up
It seems like there’s a lot more going on at UJ than what’s being reported. It really feels like Dr. Niyitunga is being sacrificed to cover up deeper corruption. The way the allegations are framed makes it look like an attempt to shift blame instead of addressing the systemic issues. It’s frustrating to see that those in power are being protected while the real problems are swept under the rug. Transparency and accountability are desperately needed to restore trust in the institution. This situation raises serious questions about the integrity of the entire system.
How is it that Dr Niyitunga’s module is not the only one in which there’s students that got free marks for yet he is the only one that was charged with negligence? Where is the fairness in that? Shouldn’t the other lecturers be charged as well? This just seems like Dr Niyitunga was used as a scapegoat to protect the real culprits because how did he go from being a whistleblower to being the perpetrator? There is just too many loopholes with this story and it seems as though you are trying so hard to paint him as the bad guy when all he did was report fraud. This also just proves that there really is no whistleblower protection in this country.