DURBAN - THE Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) Council has come under criticism from the Higher Education Portfolio Committee and a workers’ union for allegedly meddling in management issues at the institution rather than carrying out its oversight role.
In a heated meeting that lasted more than five hours yesterday, council members, including the chairperson, Morailane Morailane, countered the accusations, saying the meeting had been turned into an ambush session.
The meeting was addressing matters raised by independent assessor Professor Anthony Staak, who had been appointed to look at the problems of governance that have engulfed the institution in the past. The assessor was appointed by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande last year.
Committee member Tebogo Letsie said while the university management and council had painted a rosy picture, the institution was found wanting on governance matters.
“My worry is that MUT is a repeat offender and the council is failing to distinguish between oversight and operational roles. I am very worried that the council is very operational at the institution,” said Letsie.
The sentiment was echoed by other committee members who questioned why the council chairperson had not been placed on suspension amid accusations of meddling.
Problems highlighted included:
- Ghost employees;
- Lecturers who were claiming for evening classes that were not conducted; and
- Students not getting data.
The National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) expressed its frustration at the delay by management to make decisions. “There appears to be a situation where all decisions are reserved for council,” said the union.
The union further charged that there were no mechanisms to check when the council was at fault, saying that this was one of the problems that needed Nzimande’s intervention.
“We are recommending that, guided by the appropriate legislation, the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande, must intervene in the governance of the university,” said Nehawu.
But council members came out guns blazing, dismissing claims of overstepping their boundaries.
Sane Mnyandu also defended the council, saying it was made up of members who knew their roles.
“The talk that council members do as they please at MUT as if it is a spaza shop is not a true reflection of the council,” said the member.
She added that the council had responded to all the issues raised by Staak. Mnyandu also pointed out that the assessor had not given an instruction for the council chairperson to be placed on suspension.
In his defence, Morailane said: “I have chosen not to step down as I have done nothing wrong since joining Mangosuthu University of Technology in 2014.”
He invited the committee to visit the institution so they could see the efforts that were being made to make the institution better.
Committee chairperson Nompendulo Mkhatshwa said they remained committed to having the problems at MUT resolved and undertook to visit the university.