Pretoria - Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande has expressed "shock and outrage" at media reports that the former chairman of the now dissolved Free State's Central University of Technology Council had appointed his brother as CEO of the university's Services and Enterprise Trust at an alleged salary of R1.2 million five months ago.
"This in fact is just one example that the department has actually been vindicated in dissolving the CUT Council and appointing an Administrator at the recommendation of the independent assessor, something which the chairman of the Council himself has fought very vehemently against.
"I believe this is just the tip of the iceberg - more revelations will come out as soon as the Administrator is given the space to work towards introducing and strengthening proper accountability systems in corporate governance, financial management and administration broadly at the university," Nzimande said.
Media reports have published serious allegations that the dissolved CUT Council chairman's brother, Montwedi Seane, was appointed as the CEO of CUT Services and Enterprise, with a lucrative R1.2 million annual salary package on 23 February 2012.
This contract was allegedly offered to Seane a few days after Higher Education and Training Director-General Gwebs Qonde informed the Council of Minister Nzimande's intention to appoint an independent assessor.
The department believes the CUT Council and Principal are challenging the decision by Nzimande to appoint an administrator to run the institution.
University of Stellenbosch vice rector, Dr Julian Smith, was appointed as an independent assessor on February 24.
Employment negotiations with Seane proceeded while Smith was investigating allegations of corruption and maladministration.
Smith's report found that both council and management had abused their power. It also found instance of mismanagement of the institution's funds.
Smith found evidence of nepotism, harassment of staff and negligence and recommended that Minister Nzimande disband the council and appoint an administrator.
