The Tshwane University of Technology is rocked by an embarrassing scandal involving its vice-chancellor and rector "Professor" Jonny Molefe.
"Professor" Molefe says he didn't know the university was bogus
Let's drop the "Prof" title because he doesn't deserve it, shall we? Mr Molefe allegedly bought a doctorate at a bogus institution called St George University International which is famous for selling qualifications.
The investigation was instituted by Carte Blanch on M-Net and the episode aired last week.
Mr Molefe was appointed acting vice-chancellor and rector of the univerity after the institution controversially fired its then vice-chancellor and rector Prof Errol Tyobeka. On Friday, Mr Molefe was appointed on a permanent basis to the post.
Molefe took his bogus MBA to the South African Qualifications Authority in 2007 for evaluation and accreditation. However, SAQA wrote to Molefe and Prof Tyobeka (on his capacity as the institution's boss) informing them that the qualification was invalid and that the university Molefe studied at is not accredited and therefore, his qualification is not internationally recognised. Neither Prof Tyobeka nor Mr Molefe bothered to reply to SAQA. SAQA once again wrote to Molefe and the university's council and senate in 2008 and no one responded, alleges my source.
TUT management allegedly has a mutually beneficial relationship with Molefe
"His appointment is political because the institution's management are having a mutually benefical relation with him," says my mole. Asked to explained the "mutually beneficial" relationship, my source said: "When the management has demands, Mr Molefe signs on their memorandum of demands and approves their needs. We are having a situation where people are appointed on higher levels and have car and housing allowances though they are not supposed to get those," says my source.
A head of a department at the institution who cannot be named for obvious reasons says the entire university is still in shock. "Everyone is shocked here. No one has written any communication to stuff to let them know what is happening," shim says.
The Beeld on Saturday reported that the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande, has given the university's council and senate until Friday to explain why the university should not be placed under administration.
Molefe isn't going any where
My sources allege that the university short-listed five candidates for the job and Mr Molefe was their concil's first choice. At the time of the interview, the council and senate was very much aware that Mr Molefe is sitting on a fake qualification.
The university has come to Molefe's defence making it categorically clear that it will not take any action agansit Molefe and insists it will not suspend or fire him.
The university claims Molefe was a victim of a fraudulent institution. "Neither the employer nor Professor Molefe knew or could have known the 'adverse status' of the university. He could not have known that St George University International was not accredited because chances are his employers may have verified the status as well," the university tells the Pretoria News.
However, a quick call by Carte Blanche to a bogus university in the West Indies showed that one can buy a doctorate and a thesis can be written for them but at an extra cost.
Molefe's fake qualification is everyone's academic's business
His appointment has resulted in the resignation of two council members. The university's council chairman has been asked by the DA shadow Minister of Higher Education to explain to the Portfolio Committee and Parliament why it appointmented Molefe despite all the fake qualification.
The Pretoria News reports that Molefe chose not to study locally because in 2000, there was no instution offering MBA studies in South Africa.
Makisto can today report that the university students are set to go on strike and since his appointment on Friday, the mood on campus is somewhat rather frigid.
Though Mr Molefe knows his MBA is invalid, he continues to put it on his CV as part of his qualifications.
My sources at the university allege that the institution may be sitting on a situation whereby there are a number of "professors" and "doctors" of Molefe's "reputation". "The situation goes back before the merger when we had Technikon Pretoria, Technicon Northen Gauteng and Technicon North West," says my mole. My source alleges that there was a period when TNG wanted its staffers to at least have a Masters Degree and the university paid for their tuition fees, hired temporary staff members while the staff without M Techs studied further.
TUT: The Office of Vice-Chancellor
My source continues to allege that the staff members concerned studied their M Techs for a period of three months. However, to obtain an M Tech, it takes a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years. My mole says shim isnt aware whether those M Techs are valid or not but is sure that the then TNG paid for their fees.
Makisto understands that Mr Molefe was part of TNG management at the time.
Molefe isn't the only one who refuses to do the right thing. Could it be the case of rotten from the head?
My other source says Mr Molefe is a great guy to work with as a "professional" and they are just puzzled he chose to remain mum about his situation. "He is wonderful and relates to staff very well, we like him as a colleagues. It's just that we are concerned about the instutitution's reputation," says the source.
There is mounting pressure that Molefe should resign or be fired or at least be suspended in the wake of these facts. However, South Africa is not known for having assertive leadership starting with the government. President JZ is failing to act on the General Bheki Cele lease deals which Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said is invalid and illegal. The President also fails to act firmly concerning controversial ministers you can name.
Legally leading by example: Chief Justice Ngcobo
However, Constitutional Court Judge Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo declined to accept his reappointment. Whether that was due to mounting political pressure including allegations that JZ was reappointing him as a "thank you" for acquitting him on a myriad of charges, is anyone's guess. The Constitutional Court has later ruled that his reappointment was unconstitutional in any case.
Monday World coming up a little later this morning