UKZN scandal sees staff member fired

286 laptops were confiscated, nearly 300 staff under investigation

THE University of KwaZuluNatal’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr Albert Van Jaarsveld, has confirmed that a staff member has been dismissed over allegations of corruption concerning the selling of places at the university.

He did not reveal the identity of the fired staff member, but it was revealed that the extent of the illegal placement of students went beyond the medical and health sciences faculty.

Van Jaarsveld revealed that nearly 300 staff were under investigation.

Van Jaarsveld was speaking at a press conference held at the university’s Westville campus after search and seizure operations were conducted at the institution yesterdaymorning, across the three Durban campuses and at the Pietermaritzburg campus.

Van Jaarsveld said 286 laptops were confiscated from staff members and that the university had issued 18 staff members with letters of intent to suspend.

He revealed that one staff member already been dismissed by the university.

Earlier this year, three people were arrested and appeared in court when a sting operation led by the Hawks raided their homes.

The three, former teacher, Preshni Hiramun, and Little Gujarati owners, Varsha and Hiteshkumar Bhatt, are accused of selling medicine and health science places at the university for up to R500 000. They have since been released on bail. Meanwhile, yesterdayan operation, led by a university-appointed independent forensic audit team, swooped on staff members while students protested for the release of a prior forensic report to be released on the medical school campus.