Former UJ bosses in bid to clear their names
TWO former University of Johannesburg executives have denied claims that they stole more than R14 million from the institution and are fighting to clear their names in court.
Professor Roy Marcus, former chairperson of the university council, and Jaco van Schoor, the sacked deputy vice-chancellor of finance, through their legal team Clyde & Co have opposed the application for damages which UJ brought against them in the South Gauteng High Court.
Judge Phillip Coppin recently granted an order against the pair and the companies accused of defrauding UJ.
Writing on behalf of Van Schoor and Marcus, lawyers Clyde & Co said both Marcus and Van Schoor vehemently deny the allegations made against them by UJ.
“There is no basis whatsoever for a conclusion that they stole money or in any way acted fraudulently or unlawfully,” the lawyers said. They added that when the high court granted the application for a sum- mary judgment order, it did not have the benefit of the version of Marcus or Van Schoor on oath, nor did it hear argument from their clients’ counsel.
The lawyers said they would be launching an application to rescind the high court order, so as to allow the matter to proceed to trial.
They added that both Marcus and Van Schoor were of the view that they did not engage in any wrongdoing.
The pair also welcomed the opportunity for the matter to proceed to trial on its merits to fully ventilate the issues and clear their names, their lawyers said.
In an affidavit submitted to Judge Coppin, UJ revealed how Marcus and Van Schoor allegedly stole money set aside for the installation of solar geysers at the university’s premises and student residences. They also allegedly facilitated payments to companies linked to them under false pretences that the companies had done some work or supplied goods for the project.
This constituted “fraudulent misrepresentations”, UJ contended in the papers.