R99m budget blowout rocks University of Venda

According to IOL, a whistleblower dossier supported by internal university documents has prompted an independent forensic investigation after alleging serious governance, procurement and financial oversight failures at the University of Venda (UNIVEN).

Whistleblower dossier and university records

According to IOL, the allegations were contained in an anonymous letter sent in April 2026 to the Minister of Higher Education and the chairperson of the University Council and were supported in part by internal documents reviewed by IOL.

The author of the letter, who identifies themself as a long-serving employee, said a climate of fear and intimidation had discouraged staff from raising concerns. The letter added:

“For the first time in a long while, the Council under your leadership has demonstrated a willingness to interrogate and, where necessary, reject management submissions that do not comply with policy. This shift has not gone unnoticed. It has restored a measure of hope not only for me, but for many employees who have long felt voiceless in the face of troubling developments,”

Main Administration Building costs and governance gaps

According to IOL, the central allegation concerns the university’s Main Administration Building project, which the dossier says rose from an approved budget of R64 million to a projected R163.2 million.

According to IOL, a retrospective funding submission presented to EXCO and Council in September 2025 acknowledged that substantial budget increases had been implemented without the required governance approvals.

According to IOL, the university’s own records show that an increase of approximately R43.6 million had been identified as early as September 2023 but was “not formally approved.” The retrospective report cited by IOL identified governance shortcomings including budget increases not routed through EMC, EXCO or Council, inconsistent change-control procedures, incomplete commitment registers, poorly defined responsibilities among project managers, and weak oversight and reporting mechanisms.

The retrospective submission sought retrospective approval for an additional R53.2 million, which the documents reviewed by IOL record as taking the projected cost to R163.2 million.

Appointments and procurement concerns

According to IOL, the dossier and university documents raise questions about irregular appointments, conflicts of interest and concentrated decision-making among a small group of senior officials and external advisers.

According to IOL, documents reviewed by the publication confirm that Vice-Chancellor Professor Bernard Nthambeleni appointed infrastructure consultant Simeshi “Sue” Govender as an infrastructure adviser at a monthly fee of R382,000, excluding travel expenses, and that the contract was awarded without a competitive procurement process.

The whistleblower letter alleges Govender exercised influence beyond her contractual remit, writing:

“Sue has become a de facto Vice-Chancellor. Everything she says is done.”

Fleet audit and use of university vehicles

According to IOL, an internal fleet management audit reviewed by IOL documents several instances where university vehicles were used outside normal operating conditions.

According to IOL, the audit records one case involving an Audi A6 valued at more than R710,000 that was being driven by a person who was not employed by the university when it was involved in an accident. The audit records the incident but does not state whether disciplinary action followed.

Institutional culture and alleged intimidation

The whistleblower letter also alleges a deterioration in institutional culture, claiming dismissals and marginalisation of staff and student leaders discouraged participation. The letter says this has led to a decline in student assemblies and organised engagement among student leaders who feared reprisals.

Responses and the forensic inquiry

In response to questions from IOL, the university’s Director of Marketing, Branding and Communication, Dr Takalani Dzaga, wrote on 20 June 2026 that management was aware of the allegations and that they were “receiving the necessary attention through the appropriate institutional governance structures and processes.” The university emphasised the allegations remain unverified and said it would be inappropriate to comment on specific claims or individuals while internal processes were under way.

According to IOL, Council chairperson Rudzani Mushweu confirmed that Council had appointed an independent forensic investigator to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all the allegations contained in the anonymous letter and said Council would not comment further until the investigation had been completed.

According to IOL, neither the university nor Council disclosed when the investigation commenced, who had been appointed to conduct it, the terms of reference for the inquiry or when findings would be made public.

According to IOL, IOL sent detailed questions to Vice-Chancellor Professor Bernard Nthambeleni, Chief Operating Officer LB Kraziya and infrastructure consultant Simeshi Govender; no responses had been received by the time of publication.