Shock waves reverberated through the University of Venda (Univen) this week as yet another student leader was suspended for allegedly stealing thousands of rands from student coffers.
Collin Chauke, a student representative council (SRC) member, is the third Univen student leader to be suspended on corruption charges in the past three weeks. He was suspended last week for allegedly stealing R15 000.
His suspension follows closely that of SRC president Philip Leshabane and his deputy Pat Mabaso. Like Leshabane and Mabaso, Chauke has been barred from participating in student activities pending a disciplinary inquiry.
Leshabane and Mabaso were suspended after a preliminary investigation by the university’s management into allegations that they solicited about R9 600 from the university for a fake trip to the Eastern Cape.
They allegedly claimed the money for transport costs, accommodation, entertainment and subsistence. They were allegedly accompanied by two friends.
Chauke’s suspension has left many student leaders wondering if the turmoil within the Univen SRC will end. Univen normally suspends or expels students found guilty of misconduct, but the university disciplinary council may recommend harsher measures.
Student leaders are worried that the charges of corruption against the three SRC members might further taint the image of the institution.
The three, who have not yet appeared before the disciplinary hearing, are not the first Univen SRC leaders to be in trouble for alleged corruption. In 1999 three Univen SRC leaders were suspended after they allegedly defrauded the university of R77 000 for a party.
They allegedly made out false orders for stage and sound equipment and for musicians.
A requisition was made to the SRC for R500 000 to cover the cost of the party. An investigation found that the three asked the company to charge a higher price for the equipment and arranged to receive the difference.
Student leaders this week pleaded with the Mail & Guardian not to publish this story, saying the article would erode student confidence in student leaders across the country.
Much of the R15 000 that Chauke allegedly stole was collected from students for a trip to Cape Town. The trip was delayed because of the alleged misappropriation.
A second-year BCom student, Chauke is chairperson of the School of Management Sciences and Law student body. He is a member of the South African Student Congress (Sasco), the student wing of the African National Congress.
The other two suspended SRC members Leshabane and Mabaso are members of the Azanian Student Convention, which is affiliated to the Azanian People’s Organisation.
Rubzani Mushweu, Sasco spokes-person at Univen, said Chauke had been expelled from the organisation and efforts were being made to recover the misappropriated funds.
Mushweu, also the SRC’s treasurer, said his organisation recommended Chauke’s suspension after it discovered his alleged misconduct. “As Sasco we do not have room for corruption. We cannot harbour corrupt elements within our ranks. We will root it out were we find it, hence we expelled this comrade,” he said.