Fort Hare University has suspended two top executives – deputy vice-chancellor of institutional support Dr Jabulani Mjwara and director of properties and services Gladman James.
The suspensions are over investigations into R10-million in unauthorised expenditure on building renovations.
Vice-chancellor Dr Mvuyo Tom made the announcement to staff and students in a terse letter on Monday that stated the two executives “will be temporarily away from work starting today until further notice”.
“You will soon be informed about the persons who will temporarily act in their positions,” he added.
Tom was presiding at university graduation ceremonies yesterday and unavailable for comment.
However, Mjwara confirmed disciplinary proceedings were initiated in March over R10-million in renovations effected to a building at 1 Commissioner Street, East London bought by the university.
It houses the Fort Hare Foundation and communication services.
James did not respond to calls and text messages to his cellphone.
Mjwara was unperturbed that James could have forgotten to submit paperwork for a R10-million renovation, saying it was an insignificant amount in the context of the university’s annual capital expenditure budget of about R150-million.
The renovations on the former Legal Aid South Africa offices were completed in June last year by SKG Property, which also provides leased accommodation to the university.
Questions were sent to SKG head Jean du Plessis about his work for Fort Hare, but no response had been received at the time of writing.
Mjwara and James have been at the centre of the disputed R390-million tender to provide student accommodation in Alice, although Mjwara denied that the pair’s suspension had anything to do with their handling of that tender process.
The lowest bidder, ASAG/Isondlo, had to slog its way through the process after initially being booted out for alleged non- compliance.
Later Mjwara incorrectly red-flagged their bid for not allocating funds for furniture, although their bid contained R15-million for furniture.
That bid process is now being reviewed by an arbitration panel which includes retired Eastern Cape judge Frank Kroon and ASAG/Isondlo only has authority to complete the first phase of the project.
Mjwara left the national Department of Agriculture’s director-general post under a cloud in 2008 after a report pointed to financial mismanagement totalling more than R80-million on his watch.
He resigned with a R1.5-million payout after a forensic report said he should face 12 counts of financial misconduct.
University spokesman Zintle Filtane confirmed the suspensions and that it was related to the procurement of services for the renovation of the building housing her department.
The disciplinary hearing against the two men is due to resume in June this year.
Ft Hare suspends top officials in R10m probe
The suspensions are over investigations into R10-million in unauthorised expenditure on building renovations.
Vice-chancellor Dr Mvuyo Tom made the announcement to staff and students in a terse letter on Monday that stated the two executives “will be temporarily away from work starting today until further notice”.
“You will soon be informed about the persons who will temporarily act in their positions,” he added.
Tom was presiding at university graduation ceremonies yesterday and unavailable for comment.
However, Mjwara confirmed disciplinary proceedings were initiated in March over R10-million in renovations effected to a building at 1 Commissioner Street, East London bought by the university.
It houses the Fort Hare Foundation and communication services.
James did not respond to calls and text messages to his cellphone.
Mjwara was unperturbed that James could have forgotten to submit paperwork for a R10-million renovation, saying it was an insignificant amount in the context of the university’s annual capital expenditure budget of about R150-million.
The renovations on the former Legal Aid South Africa offices were completed in June last year by SKG Property, which also provides leased accommodation to the university.
Questions were sent to SKG head Jean du Plessis about his work for Fort Hare, but no response had been received at the time of writing.
Mjwara and James have been at the centre of the disputed R390-million tender to provide student accommodation in Alice, although Mjwara denied that the pair’s suspension had anything to do with their handling of that tender process.
The lowest bidder, ASAG/Isondlo, had to slog its way through the process after initially being booted out for alleged non- compliance.
Later Mjwara incorrectly red-flagged their bid for not allocating funds for furniture, although their bid contained R15-million for furniture.
That bid process is now being reviewed by an arbitration panel which includes retired Eastern Cape judge Frank Kroon and ASAG/Isondlo only has authority to complete the first phase of the project.
Mjwara left the national Department of Agriculture’s director-general post under a cloud in 2008 after a report pointed to financial mismanagement totalling more than R80-million on his watch.
He resigned with a R1.5-million payout after a forensic report said he should face 12 counts of financial misconduct.
University spokesman Zintle Filtane confirmed the suspensions and that it was related to the procurement of services for the renovation of the building housing her department.
The disciplinary hearing against the two men is due to resume in June this year.
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