press release 279 uj fraud · four (4) years that a university chief financial officer (cfo) has...
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Directors: SR. Legoabe; S. Kopung; ML. Seolonyane (Executive); L. Tlou; T. Phendla; DT. Molea; S. Malinga
Non-Profit Organization Reg No: 116-851
Address: Jolivet House XAVERI SA 140 Visagie Street Pretoria 0001 Postal: Postnet Suite 162 Willows 0184 Tel: (012) 771 2065 Cell: 073 769 5343 / 082 428 6019
Website: www.hetn.org.za Fax: 086 510 6630 Email: [email protected]
Date: 29th September 2017 For Immediate Release PRESS RELEASE: HETN SUPPORTS CRIMINAL FRAUD CHARGES AGAINST UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG MANAGERS The Higher Education Transformation Network (HETN) hereby condemns in the strongest terms, the unauthorised transfer of R30m rands worth of state funds at the University of Johannesburg
(UJ) by the Chief Financial Officer of the institution, Prof. Jaco van Schoor and the former Chairperson of Council, Prof Roy Marcus. We are disappointed at the slow pace with which the UJ management is addressing the alleged crime including their failure to date to lodge criminal charges against both alleged perpetrators. Whilst we note the ongoing forensic investigation, the suspension and internal disciplinary processes against Prof. Van Schoor and the subsequent resignation of the Prof Roy Marcus, we
reiterate that the illegal privatization of state funding and reserves held by the university into private hands are tantamount to theft and plundering of the resources of the state which must be condemned and prosecuted. Merely because an alleged fraudster has resigned does not imply that Criminal Law must not be allowed to take its course at the institution. The Network notes with great concern that this is the third reported instance within a period of four (4) years that a university Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has been found to have allegedly
committed fraud by abusing university funds into their own private coffers as has taken place before at North West University (2014) and University of Stellenbosch in 2013.
It is unfortunate that to date, the former CFO of Stellenbosch University, Yurie Roux, remains scot free and at large as the CEO of the SA Rugby Union (SARU) irrespective of a forensic report implicating him in the alleged fraud at Stellenbosch University.
It is further unfortunate that to date, no criminal prosecutions have to date been undertaken by the Hawks, National Prosecutions Authority (NPA) and the Council of the NWU against both Dr Theuns Eloff and Prof. Johan Rost, for the illegal transfer of R30m to a private trust irrespective of our lodging criminal cases against both alleged perpetrators in the matter. We fully support the planned lodging of criminal charges against Roy Marcus and Jaco Van Schoor by the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) on the 4th October 2017 and fully undertake to support NEHAWU in ensuring that criminal charges are laid
against both alleged perpetrators and that the perpetrators are criminally charged in terms of the Criminal Procedures Act of the Republic of South Africa. We reiterate our stance that university Vice-Chancellors and Councils are not above the law. Ends.
For further information please contact:-
Ms Sibongile Malinga: Director: Media Liaison Cell: 073 250 5516 Email: [email protected] ; [email protected]
Ms Mothepane Seolonyane: Executive Director Cell: 073 769 5343 Tel: (012) 771 2065 Email: [email protected]; [email protected];
About the Higher Education Transformation Network (HETN):-
The Higher Education Transformation Network (HETN) is an independent network of alumni and graduates from various higher education and further educational institutions across South Africa committed to the process of transformation of education and training to increase equitable and meaningful access to education, skills and learning to eliminate of socio-economic disparities.