The university community and general public will have to wait a few more months for the independent assessor’s report on governance and management issues at Unisa, Africa’s largest open learning university.
Professor Themba Mosia, who was recruited in September as an independent assessor to evaluate problems at Unisa, was due to present his findings to Dr. Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, by the end of 2017. He has since requested for and received an extension from the ministry.
“Minister Nzimande has authorized the prolongation of Unisa’s independent evaluation.
This was published on 14 December 2022 in Government Gazette 47738. The minister anticipates receiving the report by March 13, 2023,” he added, adding that the report will be made public once the minister had reviewed it.
Mosia, vice-principal for student life at the University of Pretoria, is responsible for investigating, among other things, the effectiveness of the university’s governance and management structures; the office of the registrar; the state of policies and procedures for financial management, supply chain management, and procurement; and allegations of financial irregularities.
In 2018, the former chairman of the Council for Higher Education will also examine Unisa’s human resource policies and practices.
He has 90 days to advise the minister on the necessary steps to restore good governance and management.
Professor Puleng Lenka-Bula, principal and vice-chancellor of Unisa, is being investigated for allegations of misconduct and mismanagement.
In his report, Mosia is supposed to advise Nzimande on the nature and origin of the difficulties, as well as the steps necessary to restore effective governance and management.
»The Unisa assessment report has been postponed«