The University of Venda has recently sent its director of student affairs, Mr TJ Nzeru, and his assistant, Mr ZE Mutavhatsindi, packing.

According to reliable sources, the two senior officials are accused of misappropriation of student affairs funds. Nzeru was suspended on November 6, while his assistant received his suspension letter the following day.

The university’s public relations director, Mr Rufus Kharidzha, claims that the two were suspended by the university, following allegations of indolence or negligence in the discharge of their duties. He said that the two are scheduled to appear before a disciplinary hearing on December 11 and 12.

It is believed that the alleged corrupt activities of the two came to light after the acting vice-chancellor at the university, Prof Jim Leatt put in place his recovery plan to rescue the tertiary institution from its continued corruption activities.

The two are also accused of having pocketed thousands of rands, when they hired a private company to conduct the elections of the student representative council in September earlier this year, despite the existing agreement with the local offices of the independent electoral commission to conduct the elections free of charge.

The university registrar, Mr Khuliso Nemadzivhanani, confirmed that the two had been suspended with full payment. "Today I’m on leave, but I can confirm that the two were suspended with benefits because they are still deemed innocent. You must understand that, these days, you don’t suspend a person without benefits," he said.

Mirror also established that Adv BE Mapwanya is acting in the positions of the suspended officials.