A University of Zululand (Uni-Zulu) staffer who spilled the beans about the alleged corruption and systemic rot within the institution now fears for her life.
The whistleblower, who compiled a report about corruption at the university and sent it to the Hawks, Special Investigation Unit ( SIU) and the Office of the Public Protector, is now forced to look over her shoulder fearing she might be killed.
This after four men pretending to work for the Hawks ambushed her at her house and warned her to shut up or die. Speaking to Sunday World, the whistleblower, who cannot be identified, said she had just finished work in the late hours of Tuesday last week when she was accosted.
“I was about to open the gate near the house when the four men appeared from nowhere. They forced me into the house and claimed that they were from the Hawks. They said I’m being investigated and that they had a court order to freeze my assets. The men then said they could help me squash the case only if I pay them a certain amount,” she said.
According to the whistleblower, the terrifying ordeal lasted for about 30 minutes.
She said the alleged cops told her to refrain from interacting with anti-corruption agencies and threatened to harm her if she did not comply with their demands.
She said for her and her family’s safety she did not report the matter to the police.
“I just do not trust the police,” she said.
The whistleblower’s intimidation occurred after whistleblowers wrote to the SIU, the Hawks and the public protector asking that an investigation be launched at the university. The whistleblowers claimed top university executives had received kickbacks from firms doing business with the institution.
Afterwards unions and political parties called for the dissolution of the university council and the firing of vice-chancellor Xoliswa Mtose.
In a confidential university council report seen by the Sunday World, chairperson of council Nomarashiya Caluza told council members the reports were made with malicious intent to deflect attention from running the institution.
“Reports by whistleblowers must be treated with caution. It is important to recognise that the actions of individuals do not reflect on the institution as a whole.
“Such reports create sensationalism and hinder the on-going investigation,” read the report in part.
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