Question NW75 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training
16 February 2017 - NW75
Hoosen, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
(1)Is he aware of the allegations that a certain member of the Council of the University of Zululand has an interest in a certain security company (name furnished) that was contracted by the specified university; if so, has he found that the (a) allocation of the specified contract was in the best interest of the university and (b) specified member’s financial interests were disclosed satisfactorily at the time of the awarding of the contract; (2) (a) what is the full amount that has been paid to (i) the specified security company and/or (ii) any of the company’s affiliates under the contract from 1 January 2016 to date and (b) from which budget were the specified amounts paid; (3) whether the university contracted any other security companies to (a) support and/or (b) replace the specified security company since 1 January 2017; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether he has and/or will ask for an independent investigation into (a) the specified allegations and (b) any related matters; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
It has come to my attention that various allegations were made on several aspects related to the University of Zululand.
I have written to the Council on 2 September 2016 expressing my concern on the slow progress and current developments on matters that affect the governance, management, student life and academic enterprise of the institution. I have also expressed my concern to the Council on newspaper articles regarding alleged financial irregularities and flouting of supply chain management processes committed by senior management at the university and that the Department was not being appraised of these disturbing developments, despite requests to the Council to keep the Department informed.
I have requested the Council to provide a response as part of a formal process as to why the appointment of an independent assessor, in terms of Sections 44 and 45 of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No. 101 of 1997) as amended, should not be considered. Council has responded in a letter dated 12 December 2016. I am currently applying my mind on the response of the Council and whether to conduct an independent assessment to ascertain the factual nature of these matters.
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DIRECTOR – GENERAL
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QUESTION 75 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
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