DUT - STAFF SUSPENDED IN WAKE OF AUDIT

Oh Wow! Look what is being taught in the Univercities of today - how to perform fraud and corruption! This is what you send your children to learn! There is a saying that goes something along the lines of "Teach/lead by example". What are we teaching our children today - this is how to steal!

108 cases of fraud slpit amongst 6 people works out to an average of about 18 each - wonder if this is the whole story? Personally, I would say that there are more people involved in this little bit. Sounds to me like a little more digging needs to be done, with a whole lot more consequence!

Regards

Nikki

Noloyiso Mchunu

December 06 2006 at 09:51AM

Six staff at the Durban University of Technology have been suspended, according to the recommendations of a forensic audit into fraud and corruption and fraud at the institution - reportedly amounting to millions of rands. DUT spokesperson Nomonde Mbadi said the university had instituted disciplinary hearings against two of the six staff and that more hearings had been scheduled for later in December.

The university called for the audit after allegations of fraud and corruption were made in 2005 to the institution's now dissolved council. Of the 108 cases investigated by audit firms KPMG and Amaface, 64 were reported in the findings, 26 were not pursued because of insufficient evidence and 18 were referred to the university management for action.

Mbadi said none of the implicated staff would be named because the process had not been finalised. A 397-page report released by DUT Administrator Jonathan Jansen in November revealed that several staff members had helped themselves to the institution's money. University computers had been used to mass-mail pornographic images, university vehicles had been used without accountability and contractors had been paid before work had been completed and, in some cases, for work not done at all. Irregularities were found in several administration departments, including human resources, payroll, procurement, maintenance, finance and student housing. noloyiso.mchunu@inl.co.za

This article was originally published on page 2 of The Mercury on December 06, 2006