By Staff Writer
LUPANE State University (LSU) vice chancellor, Professor Pardon Kuipa has been caught up in allegations of corruption leading to embezzlement of funds at the institution of higher learning.
Information circulating alleges that Prof Kuipa working in cahoots with his assistant Julius Tapera and the Acting Procurement Manager Knowledge Muvirimi, are involved in malpractices such as irregular tender awarding, inflating invoices and bills in procurement services, particularly in relation to the institution’s farming projects.
“A university internal audit on a Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (ZimDef) letterhead dated March 17, 2023 detailed the corruption around a Nguni Bullying Heifers procurement entered into with Michview Enterprises.
“A few of the 60 Nguni Bullying Heifers purchased from Michiview Enterprises at the cost of 22 million (US$132 534.75) in May 2022 were not yet delivered as of date,” the report said in part.
The report further alleges that of the fourteen delivered, eight were cows and one was a calf instead of the heifers specified.
The audit report further alleges that the deal was entered into without signing a contract between the University and Michiview enterprises detailing terms and conditions.
In 2021 the LSU employees staged a protest March against Kuipa over sexual abuse allegations levelled against the seasoned academic at the institution.
The protesting women under the banner, Umama Wesizwe sikaMthwakazi, petitioned the LSU registrar to launch a probe into reports of sexual abuse and harassment of women by Kuipa.
