The Special Investigating Unit has been directed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to probe corruption and maladministration allegations at the University of Fort Hare.
While the unit will probe the awarding of degrees at UFH, some said to have been awarded to undeserving students, the SIU will also investigate alleged unlawful and improper conduct in the varisty’s supply chain management unit between November 1 2012 and August 5 2022.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago on Friday said Ramaphosa had signed new proclamations authorising the investigation.
The SIU will investigate allegations of maladministration in the awarding of degrees, mismanagement of funds and sourcing of public servants for study into various faculty programmes by an individual for personal gain at the University of Fort Hare, Kganyago said.
The SIU would launch investigations into four tenders, including contracts for cleaning and gardening services, leases for student accommodation, and the appointment of a service provider for the maintenance and repair of the air conditioning system.
“Collusion between officials of the university and service providers in which such officials held direct or indirect interests” would be looked at, he added.
“Any unlawful or improper conduct by the officials, employees, service providers, suppliers to the university or any entity will be investigated.”
“We do not investigate people. We investigate processes and we find people and companies after we have discovered irregularities, malfeasance and maladministration in those processes,” he said.
Edwin Ijeoma, a public administration professor at Fort Hare, was suspended in October 2020 for issues relating to irregular registration and admission, theft and running a private company from the university’s premises.
The university’s own investigations department, as well as the Hawks, launched probes into the “illegal activities”.
Ijeoma resigned in February 2021. He was arrested at a roadblock near Bhisho two months later, in April.
Hawks provincial spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela could not be reached for comment by print deadline.
“It [the SIU investigation] is a very big thing, not just for the province but for the whole country,” said the source.
Asked whether there were employees facing action amid the university’s probe, UFH spokesperson JP Roodt said: “The University of Fort Hare confirms the precautionary suspension of Dr Oscar van Heerden, deputy vice-chancellor for institutional support, last month.”
Roodt said Van Heerden had been placed on precautionary suspension pending the outcome of investigations in relation to allegations of serious misconduct.
“He joined the university in 2021, a year before the university concluded the memorandum of understanding with the SIU,” Roodt said.
“When appropriate, and without infringing on the rights of Dr Van Heerden, the university will consider if communication is necessary with its stakeholder and constituent groups pending the outcomes of the investigation.”
Roodt said the investigation process had been concluded.
“The next steps will follow,” he said, without providing further details.
Van Heerden could not be reached for comment on Sunday.
UFH vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu over the weekend said the probe came after the university had “requested the SIU to investigate malfeasance and corruption at the university in relation to specific cases and areas of concern”.
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