Issued by: SA Communication Service
PRESS RELEASE BY THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR, ADV SAM BAQWA
Academic freedom and academic integrity are some of the most prized possessions of any university or tertiary institution. It was on this basis and in order to safeguard those assets that an investigation into irregularities in respect of the issue of degrees at the University of Zululand was undertaken. On 2 September 1996 I received a request from the Department of Education in Pretoria to investigate the irregularities in respect of the issue of degrees at the University of Zululand. I agreed to conduct the investigation. The request from the National Education Department came about as follows:
Before the graduation ceremony in May 1996 the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Dlodlo (now Mr Justice Dlodlo) discovered that some of the students who were on the graduation list had not complied with all the requirements for degrees to be conferred on them and that they were therefore not supposed to graduate. He immediately alerted the administration officials of the University and as a result of his report, 27 names were removed from the graduation list.
After the graduation ceremony, the University management immediately investigated the matter and discovered that an official in the Student Affairs Section of the administration staff, one AM Ngubane, had irregularly altered marks on the academic records of a number of students to enable them to graduate improperly. The initial investigation undertaken by the University management established that 57 irregular alterations could be ascribed to Mr Ngubane's activities.
University management swung into action at a number of levels to try and get to the bottom of what had happened. Firstly they initiated an investigation internally which was conducted by external auditors Deloitte and Touche. Management also engaged in discussions with the National Education Department with a possible view to appointing a Commission of Inquiry. As a result of these discussions, Drs I Rensburg and C Klopper visited the University with a view to taking the matter further. Some students and other stakeholders at the University also agitated for a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate the irregularities referred to above. The Rector of the University, Prof CRM Dlamini, also engaged my office in discussions concerning possibilities about launching an investigation. It was after these many activities that the matter was finally settled on the basis that my office should be the one to conduct the investigation.
I began with a formal investigation on Monday 4 November 1996f. This investigation has now been finalised and I have the honour to present a report.
The Issues which I investigated were the following:
(a) The examination and graduation procedures.
(b) The possibilities for tampering with marks once these procedures were under way.
(c) The procedures at the Information Technology Centre and safeguards around those procedures.
(d) The registration procedure.
(e) Supervision to ensure that there was no tampering with marks after they had been properly allocated.
(f) The identities of those who obtained degrees irregularly.
(g) The identification of those responsible for the irregularities.
(h) The steps taken against the culprits.
Initially a total of 598 cases were finally investigated in respect of the irregularities. A total of 59 subpoenas were served by publication in national newspapers. The other subpoenas were served personally on the respondents.
I found that -
(a) 142 students did not validly pass a total of 362 semester courses, although their academic record indicated that they had passed the said courses;
(b) 56 students validly passed, or obtained credits in respect of 90 courses, and that the changes effected to their academic record in respect of the latter courses were in fact valid changes;
(c) 21 degrees, two secondary teacher's diplomas and one University Education Diploma were invalidly conferred on or awarded to students who did not pass all the necessary courses to qualify for such degrees or diplomas; and
(d) two students died prior to the commencement of the investigation.
I recommended to the University Council that the courses, degrees and diplomas which had been improperly obtained, be withdrawn.
Approximately 1500 changes effected to the academic record of students were investigated by my office.
Criminal action has been instituted in respect of four individuals who were charged with fraud.
Many of the students who collaborated in the fraud which led to the present inquiry, saw the attainment of a certificate by whatever means as a goal in itself. There was little appreciation that the purpose of an examination is to test the level of proficiency in a body of knowledge acquired, learned and digested.
It is in the interest of the entire University Community - staff and students - to respect the rules of the University with respect to the administration, faculty and examination. I respectfully call upon all staff to give a lead to the students in this respect. The culture of a well-ordered society depends upon acknowledgement of the rules which govern that society. A well-ordered and disciplined society is essential to provide the right climate for quality teaching, learning and examination. A laissez-faire approach might lead to the immediate resolution of an issue, but it inevitably leads to problems in the longer term, not only for the individual, but for the whole of society.
Let those who are inclined to commit fraud such as that committed at the University of Zululand note that there is now a zero tolerance for such activities. Such people shall be routed out wherever and whenever they are found. Education is the cornerstone of development in this country and there can accordingly be no compromises in this regard.
RELEASED BY THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR
PRETORIA, 18 JUNE 1997 The full report of the Public Protector is available to the Press: Enquiries: Mrs Amanda Snyman - tel: (012) 3222 916