The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has dismissed allegations of financial mismanagement levelled against the institution, saying previous investigations into the claims found no wrongdoing.
The university’s response comes after about 100 students marched to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) offices in Pinelands on Tuesday, where the Central Student Representative Council (SRC) handed over a memorandum calling for an investigation.
The students’ concerns include allegations involving CPUT’s Vice-Chancellor and the management of university funds. The SRC also submitted two further documents containing information it says supports its claims.
CPUT Responds To Financial Mismanagement Allegations
CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley said the university had consistently subjected its financial processes to the appropriate auditing procedures.
She also said allegations contained in whistleblower reports had been examined by external attorneys.
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“Whistleblower reports and accusations that funds are misappropriated are very often lodged by predatory individuals who are positioning themselves to benefit and influence accommodation and institutional resources in their favor. External attorneys have audited various accusations in these reports and found no merit to the accusations.”
The university maintains that the allegations raised by the students have already been investigated and found to be without merit.
Students Say More Evidence Could Be Submitted
Despite CPUT’s position, the SRC indicated that it has additional material it wants the SIU to consider.
One student who addressed the SIU said the documents already submitted did not represent the full extent of the information available to the student body.
The student asked for a reliable email address through which further documents could be provided to the investigating unit.
“Can we perhaps be provided with a reliable email address, because what you have, I do not think is all of it, that is just the tip of the iceberg. There is supplementary information, whistleblower reports, investigation reports, that need to be supplemented.”
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The student said the additional material included whistleblower reports and investigation reports that could be submitted to supplement the memorandum and documents already handed over.
The SIU has yet to indicate what action it will take in response to the students’ submission.
