University extends fraud accused’s stay
A VAAL University project manager who was employed on a threeyear fixed contract had his contract extended by the institution despite being under investigation for financial misconduct.
The man, whose name is being held for legal reasons, was charged with gross misconduct with the accusations including the altering of payments to service providers.
His contract was extended by a further three years even though the human resources department had recommended that it not be renewed to save costs.
Sowetan has seen a letter of suspension written to the manager in October by then executive director of operations and logistics, Ngwenya Zingitwa, informing him that he was being investigated.
The manager is said to have instructed the university’s maintenance staff to use the institution’s car and tools to carry out work at his private residence.
It is also alleged that for three months he irregularly claimed that he was the acting executive director of operations and logistics even though Zingitwa was at work.
During this time, it is alleged that he claimed overtime, an acting allowance of R7 633 and a R900 telephone allowance.
Other allegations contained in the suspension letter include:
Making unauthorised variation orders of R1 054 000, R4-million for construction of a building at the university and R2.5-million for an extension of a building; and
Splitting orders in the renovation of a residence into R3.8-million and R4.3-million in order to bypass council’s approval requirements. Sowetan understands that council has to approve any amount above R5-million on any project.
The conditions of the suspension were that he cannot enter the premises of the university without permission and that he hands over all property of the university.
The manager refused to sign the suspension letter. However, Sowetan saw a memorandum where he had returned the property of the university on November 1.
“This is an internal matter and I won’t comment about anything,” said the manager when contacted for comment.. University spokesman Mike Khuboni confirmed the manager’s reappointment despite an ongoing probe by an external investigator into the allegations against him.
Khuboni said the university expects the investigation to be finalised by the end of this month.
He added that the university was unaware that the manager was paid an acting allowance and that the allegations had been referred to the institution’s internal auditors.