Pretoria - No decision has been taken about the findings and recommendations contained in the report of the Independent Assessor, who had investigated various allegations made against the Council of the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Bloemfontein.
In February, the Minister for Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande, appointed Professor Julian Smith of Stellenbosch University to investigate the nature and source of problems facing the institution. The scope of investigation covered matters related to governance, financial management and procurement practices, administration and transformation programme of the institution.
The Director-General of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Gwebinkundla Qonde, on Monday met with CUT's council to discuss the findings and recommendations of the report.
The Independent Assessor's Report was published in the Government Gazette of 11 May 2012 and among its findings and recommendations was that Nzimande should dissolve the institution's council and appoint an administrator to manage the affairs of the institution.
"No decision about the findings and recommendations was taken at today's (Monday) meeting, and the discussions will remain confidential until the DG reports to the minister, who will apply his mind and consider a way forward - which he will thereafter communicate to the relevant stakeholders in due course.
"The CUT Council, which was led by its Chairperson Dr Sylvan Seane, undertook to submit additional documents it deems to be relevant to the discussions in the meeting to the department within a week," said department spokesperson Vuyelwa Qinga.
