Publication: Independent Online Issued: Date: 2007-04-12 Reporter: Tania Broughton Reporter: Amelia Naidoo

Top UKZN Academics on Corruption Charges

 

Publication 

Independent Online
Date

2007-04-12

Reporter

 Tania Broughton, Amelia Naidoo

Web Link

www.iol.co.za

 

The University of KwaZulu-Natal has been rocked by a "greasing palms" scandal, with the arrests on Wednesday of a former dean and a junior lecturer on charges of corruption in connection with the awarding of a doctoral degree.

At the centre of the furore is a senior academic, Prof Pumela Msweli-Mbanga, 44, who is accused of taking R16 150 for assisting in the award of the degree to Nobulele Potswana, 54, now a lecturer at the university's Westville campus.

Last year, Msweli-Mbanga, who was dean of management studies, made allegations of sexual harassment against Vice-Chancellor Malegapuru Makgoba and Council Chairperson Vincent Maphai. These allegations were later found to be untrue by a tribunal headed by retired judge Alan Magid.

'I just want justice to be done'

At the same time, she was implicated in the award of an alleged fraudulent Master of Commerce degree to the university's former chief financial officer, Kanthan Pillay. This was also probed by Magid, but could not be substantiated.

This year, the university appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct a forensic audit into these and other allegations, and it is believed that Wednesday's arrests were a result of an interim report handed to the university.

Msweli-Mbanga and Potswana, accompanied by their lawyers, handed themselves over to Supt Piet du Plooy of Durban's Commercial Crime Unit in the morning.

Later, they made a brief appearance in the specialised commercial crime court and were each granted bail of R5 000 by magistrate Reyneke Oosthuizen on condition that neither enter the Westville campus without the permission of the investigating officer.

They will appear in court again on May 29.

'The truth will prevail'

According to the charge sheet, they are each charged with one count of corruption and two alternative counts of corruption.

According to the preamble, Potswana was a registered doctoral candidate student in the faculty of management studies and Msweli-Mbanga was her supervisor.

At the time of registration, Potswana was employed by Petronet, the sponsor of her degree.

It is alleged that in February 2005, Potswana submitted an invoice in the name of Msweli-Mbanga for R16 150 for "services rendered" in relation to the completion of her thesis to obtain her degree.

It is alleged that a Petronet cheque was issued on February 9 and paid into Msweli-Mbanga's bank account, "a corrupt payment either as reward for having assisted (Potswana) in the completion of her thesis or as a reward for influencing or awarding a doctoral degree to her".

The preamble further states that Potswana helped get the contact details of one of the three examiners later appointed by Msweli-Mbanga to examine her thesis.

Potswana graduated in April 2005 after Msweli-Mbanga instructed the faculty officer to place her name on the graduation roll, in spite of the co-ordinators' report (which summarises the examiner's comments and makes a recommendation) not being completed.

The degree was only awarded in writing 18 months later, when the co-ordinators' report - then only a mere formality - was completed, it is alleged. And, it is alleged, during all this time, Msweli-Mbanga did not disclose to any party involved that she had entered into a corrupt relationship with Potswana.

Prosecutor Ashika Haripersad informed the magistrate that the docket was already complete and the state would be ready to hand over statements to the defence at the next appearance.

She referred to Makgoba as the "complainant" in the matter.

After the court appearance, Potswana told The Mercury: "I just want justice to be done."

Msweli-Mbanga said: "The truth will prevail." She referred further inquiries to Makgoba whom, she said, "has tried so many times before, but has yet to succeed".

Makgoba told The Mercury that the forensic audit had been commissioned in the interests of good corporate governance and because "certain things had come to light".

"As CEO (of the university) I have to take responsibility for that. I will always do whatever I can to protect the integrity of the institution and the quality of its degrees."

It is believed the audit is continuing into the award of a degree to Pillay.

With acknowledgements to Tania Broughton, Amelia Naidoo and The Mercury.