Asmal to decide rector's fate

2003-11-09 17:05

Wonder Hlongwa

Johannesburg - The fate of University of Durban-Westville (UDW) rector and vice-chancellor Saths Cooper will be known on Monday when Education Minister Kader Asmal makes an announcement on the university's future.

While Cooper and the university council await their fate, council chairperson Namane Magau has backed Cooper, saying the controversial rector "stabilised the institution and brought back the culture of learning".

On Friday UDW and education department lawyers reached an out-of-court settlement stipulating that the decision Asmal announces tomorrow may not be implemented for five days.

The five-day period is to allow Cooper and the university management time to respond.

"This means if the minister decides to appoint an administrator, that will only be done after UDW management have responded to the minister's decision," said Nasima Badsha, the education department's deputy director of higher education.

Asmal is expected to pronounce on the future of the university following a damning report by independent assessor Bongani Khumalo.

Abuse of power

Citing an array of alleged irregularities, abuse of power and university funds, Khumalo suggested Asmal disband the university council and appoint an administrator to run the university ahead of its merger with the University of Natal next January.

Cooper has attacked Khumalo's report as inaccurate, irresponsible and one-sided.

Responding to the report, Magau said it was unfair to claim the council "failed to exercise appropriate degree of financial control" as the council had appointed auditors PriceWaterhouseCooper to probe financial irregularities.

The University of Durban-Westville and the University of Natal are to merge in January 2004.

Cooper, who is in the race for the vice-chancellorship of the merged institution, has been dealt a heavy blow by the report, which accuses him of being manipulative and of abusing UDW funds.

According to the report, when Cooper joined UDW in January this year an 8% tuition fee increase had already been approved by the finance committee.

However, he issued a directive to the university's executive financial director not to implement the increase.

University spokesperson Nomavenda Mathiane said UDW management was happy they would have an opportunity to respond to Asmal's pending decision. "Although it has taken a court order to get that," she said.

- City Press