Chester Makana

Chester Makana

Two senior staffers at the University of Venda have been suspended following allegations of corruption and maladministration.

The two were suspended after recommendations by acting vice-chancellor Jimmy Laatt.

Their suspension came at a time when Laatt was focusing on a recovery plan to rescue the university from the brink of financial collapse.

The institution has lost millions of rands as a result of corruption.

It is alleged the two officials recommended that the cash-strapped institution pay thousands of rands during the students representative council elections in September.

The elections were ultimately won by the Azanian Students Congress.

Sowetan has learnt that the two were allegedly involved in the hiring of a private company to conduct the elections, while the university had agreed with the local offices of the Independent Electoral Commission to do that free of charge.

The officials are also accused of having failed to consult the institution's senior management when taking certain decisions over the finances of the university.

The spokesman for the university council, Khuliso Nemadzivhanani, yesterday confirmed the suspensions and said the two were temporarily relieved of their duties with full pay, pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.

"As of now, I cannot say more because the matter is sub judice. But what I can say is that the two will appear before a disciplinary committee soon," said Nemadzivhanani.