No comment from distance university over laptop deal probe

The University of South Africa (UNISA) has refused to answer questions on the steps it has taken to implement the forensic investigation into the ZAR77 million (US$4.9 million) purchase of laptops that recommended “corrective action” against its executives, writes Loyiso Sidimba for the Sunday Independent.

Professor Puleng LenkaBula, the principal and vice-chancellor of Africa’s largest open distance learning institution, Khathu Ramukumba, vice-principal for finance, supply chain management and business enterprises and chief financial officer, and other members of UNISA’s management committee (ManCom) are in the firing line following the investigation by law firm Bowmans.

The investigation found that LenkaBula, in her capacity as chair of ManCom, failed to ensure that council approval was obtained for deviation from the prescribed supply chain management processes as the expenditure exceeded the delegation of ZAR50 million provided to the committee. Bowmans concluded after a review of emails and draft submissions that ManCom members were aware of the ZAR50 million delegation and that council approval was required for the entire initiative, as it exceeded ZAR50 million.
Full report on the IOL site