Unisa’s image and reputation must remain respected: Minister

Newly-appointed Minister of Higher Education Dr Nobuhle Nkabane says her department will do everything it can to ensure that the image and reputation of Unisa remains respected globally. She said the department would act swiftly to address challenges at the institution, including unnecessary legal battles.

This comes as Unisa has been in the news regarding allegations of maladministration. As the Minister gears up to intervene, Unisa is being sued for R50 million by a former deputy vice-chancellor and current council member, Professor David Mosoma.

The governance of institution is still under the spotlight. This after claims of abuse of power by the management of the institution, led by the principal and vice-chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula.

Weeks ago, a former Registrar of the institution, Prof Steward Mothata, raised concern about the alleged purging of senior staff. Mothata also alleged that there was something untoward about the way he was fired by the institution.

He said the harassment case against him was concocted to get rid of him. Mothata further said the accuser was paid to lie, under the guise of receiving a settlement of over half a million rand.

“This thing it’s a bribe disguised as a settlement,” says Mothata.

The institution was also accused of sitting on the investigation reports that painted a bad picture of the university. During an earlier interview with the public broadcaster, LenkaBula rubbished the allegations of corruption, maladministration and breach of procurement processes under her watch. At the time, she said the institution taking the Mosia report on review, was the right call.

“The report is not representing the true facts of the performance of the financials of the quality of the professoriate of the development even of my leadership,” she said.

On the PWC report, LenkaBula said at the time, that she had just received the report and was still going through it. This despite the Department of Higher Education writing to the institution earlier, requesting information about some investigation reports, including the PWC Report

Another issue involving the university, is its former deputy vice-chancellor Professor David Mosoma, suing the institution for R50 million. Mosoma claimed he was overlooked for the top spot in 2010. He alleged that he was the preferred candidate, but lost out to Professor Mandla Makhanya. The university’s Vice-Chancellor denied any knowledge of the issue.

“I don’t know about it and therefore, I am not going to comment. Yes, I am not going to comment. I am telling you the truth,” LenkaBula added.

The new Minister of Higher Education has weighed in on the current situation at Unisa.

“We don’t want to tarnish the image of this institution which is well known in other countries as one of the best of the best. So my approach is going to be I need a sit down with the council of that institution and get to understand the challenge that they are facing,” she says.

She says the department would intervene speedily. She has also raised concern about Unisa’s legal bills.

“We should act swiftly to stop unnecessary costly legal battles in our systems broadly, the PS system and we are indeed committing to say we are going to come up with possible solutions and focus on the stability of our higher education institutions, preoccupied with legal battles,” she says.

The ministry has vowed to deal with any challenges at the institution soon, to ensure Unisa remains a proud institution.