IT is alleged the Unizulu protest was sparked after staff believed the Vice Chancellor, Fikile Mazibuko intended to dismiss employees and replace them with workers from a different company, without consultation.
‘The Vice Chancellor wants to get rid of so many staff members by replacing them, when most of them are the sole breadwinners in their homes.
‘The community deserves to know what is going on in this university because then maybe there is a better chance of helping these innocent workers,’ she said.
According to sources, the university has hired another security company, which sparked job insecurity among workers.
‘If there is corruption among the authorities, it does not only affect the workers, but the students too.
‘It is so sad that these old people might lose their jobs and where will they get new employment from at this age?
‘Apparently this chancellor fires adequate staff to hire her own relatives,’ she added.
Protesters said the Vice Chancellor treats the university as a ‘spaza shop’, alleging that she had been involved with fraudulent activities totalling R11-million and has fired capable staff to hire family members.
‘Because the university council has so much power, they might even protect the Vice Chancellor and cover up all the mess,’ she said.
This week a memorandum was sent to the University Council, Mkhwanazi Tribal Authority, uMhlathuze Municipality and uThungulu Municipality.
A staff member from the university who wishes to remain anonymous said the Vice Chancellor is very upset at the false allegations and that she objects to them.
According to the source, Mazibuko said there are individuals who are trying to settle a personal score and are influencing other staff members.
‘The people who are claiming this fraud should be brave enough to do so legally and draw up an affidavit as opposed to spreading rumours and propaganda, otherwise they are just mere allegations,’ said the source.
‘Why are these instigators not brave enough to stand up and say ‘hey listen, there is money missing, lets investigate?’; instead they are causing upheaval,’ he added.
‘The problem is that there is no adequate management communication with the staff.
‘It makes no sense to have two security companies on one campus, and if you have not addressed the staff surely it will cause such confusion and anxiety among them,’ said the source.
University PR Manager for Communications and Marketing Division Bhekani Dlamini said management was engaged in discussions on Wednesday relating to this matter and that a statement would be forthcoming.
20 NOVEMBER 2013
Staff strike at Unizulu
THE staff protest at the University of Zululand enters its fifth day today.
Members of the Protective Services Department, Dining Hall and the Housing Departments at the university are protesting against alleged dismissals by the Vice-Chancellor, Fikile Mazibuko.
The university employees say they are to be replaced by staff from a different company. They claim no reasoning had been provided for their imminent dismissal.
On Saturday staff downed tools, but resumed work duties on Monday and Tuesday.
Yesterday saw the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) meet with disgruntled staff.
The Zululand Observer was at Unizulu, but was not allowed to attend the meeting.
A statement is forthcoming from the tertiary institution.
Update to follow
