Scientist on warpath

AIMS TO SUE: RAISING FUNDS TO TAKE ON NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION

iThemba Labs deputy director immigrated to Canada after harassment.

South African scientist Mojalefa Murphy, who left the country 12 years ago for Canada after a bitter dispute with his employer, the National Research Foundation (NRF), wants to sue the NRF if he can raise the funds to launch a legal battle.

The dispute followed iThemba Labs deputy director Murphy’s 2002 investigation into the financial manager. The probe was blocked by the NRF human resources director and its CEO.

“I discovered the financial manager was allegedly fraudulently benefitting from the company’s coffers, mismanaged, abused and exploited its artisans and used the NRF’s materials to refurbish his house.”

Despite reporting this to the NRF board chairperson, the department of science and technology director-general and the public protector, no steps were taken against the official.

He added: “The financial manager and the director stonewalled the public protector’s investigators. For this investigation, I found myself isolated in the company, harassed daily, suspended and forced to consider resigning.”

The public protector recommended