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.
