1. Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education & Training
MANGOSUTHU UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education & Training
Professor MM Ramogale
Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal
Wednesday September 13th National Assembly – Cape Town

2. Contents Introduction of the team Purpose of the presentation
Background
Part A: Progress on the appointment of senior executives and other vacancies
Part B: Status report on infrastructure rollout
Interaction session

3. Introduction of the Team
Prof Marcus Ramogale - Acting VC & Principal
Prof Nokwethemba Ndlazi - Acting DVC: Resources & Planning
Mr Zwelibanzi Dlamini - Senior Director: HR&D
Mr Luven Naidoo: Director - Infrastructure Projects
Mr Sifiso Keswa - Chair: Audit & Risk Committee
Dr Joy Ndlovu - Chair: Human Resources Committee
Mr Morailane Morailane - Chair: Planning and Resources Committee

4. Purpose of the presentation
To share with the Portfolio Committee progress on the appointment of senior executives and other vacancies
To share with the Portfolio Committee the infrastructure rollout plan
Provide progress on the projects
Share challenges experienced in the roll out
Indicate strategies to mitigate the challenges

5. Background (1/2)
Chronology of events in management of MUT:
15 February 2016: Six senior executives put on special leave by EXCO
24 March 2017: Minister of Higher Education and Training met with the MUT Council and noted Council’s decision to institute a forensic investigation
In the midst of the investigation, the VC and some executives left the employ of the University
19 July 2016: Final Forensic report served at Council
Subsequently, the remaining two resigned leading to six senior management vacancies

6. Background (2/2)
Leadership and governance challenges at MUT
Encroachment of functionality between Council, EXCO and Management
Inconsistent implementation of the Delegation of Authority framework
Inefficient running of Council meetings
From April 2017 there has been a significant reconstitution of Council
New members coming through
New charters for committees of Council
Election of new chairpersons and members of Council committees
New sense of optimism

7. Part 1 Progress on the appointment of senior executives and other vacancies

8. Vacancies at the executive level (1/3)
Vice-Chancellor & Principal (PG 1)
Vacant since September 2016
Reason: resignation
Recruitment
First advert went out in October 2016
Response inadequate
Second advert in January 2017
EXCO developed a preliminary list of candidates meeting the minimum requirements
Resolved to expand the pool further by appointing a recruitment agency
Progress to date: EXCO to finalise the appointment of the recruitment agency
Current arrangement: Acting VC since June 2016

9. Vacancies at the executive level (2/3)
Deputy Vice Chancellor: Resources & Planning (PG 2)
Vacant since April 2017
Reason: resignation
Recruitment
First advertised in April 2017
13 applications received
EXCO resolved to expand the pool by appointing a recruitment agency
Current arrangement: Acting DVC since June 2016

10. Vacancies at the executive level (3/3)
Executive Director: Office of the VC (PG 3)
Vacant since September 2016
Reason: resignation
Recruitment
Council resolved to offer the position to one of the earlier applicants
However position frozen in the 2017 Budget due to financial constraints
Current arrangement: No one acting in the position

11. Vacancies at senior management positions (PG 4)
Length of vacancy
Date Advertised
Comments
Senior Director: Finance
Since August 2016
19-Feb-17
Selection process completed, awaiting Council approval
Reason: Expiry of contract
Acting SD in place
Senior Director: Operations
Since February 2017
Re-advertised in July due to inadequate response. Shortlisting to commence soon
Reason: Resignation
Senior Director: Legal Services
Since June 2014
& on 12-Jun-17
Shortlisting to commence soon
No acting incumbent
Senior Director: Institutional Planning & Research
Dean of Students
Acting Dean in place
Senior Director: Library Services
Since April 2017;
Not advertised due to budgetary constraints
Reason: Retirement
 Acting incumbent in place
Senior Director: Information Technology & Networks
Since September 2016

12. Other vacancies Position/s Date Advertised Comments
Chief Committee Officer
19-Feb-17
Selection process completed in April 2017 and awaiting Council approval on 15 September 2015.
PHC Nurse
Selection process completed in April 2017 and awaiting Council approval on 15 September 2015.
Senior Warden
Telephonist
Selection process completed in April 2017 and awaiting Council approval on 15 September 2015.
Lecturer (ALLU)
Re-advertised & head- hunting done. Further shortlisting session planned to occur within the next two weeks.
Laboratory Assistant (ALLU)
Re-advertised & head-hunting done. Further shortlisting session planned to occur within the next two weeks.
Laboratory Technician (Community Extension)
Shortlisting has been done and the interviews are planned for the first week of October 2017.
Lecturer (Law)
12-Jun-17
Shortlisting has been and the interviews are scheduled for 18 September 2017.
Lecturer x2 (Accounting)
Interviews have been conducted with one suitable candidate to be recommended for appointment. The other vacancy will be advertised again.
Lecturer (Public Administration)
Post will be re-advertised & candidates head-hunted.
Human Resources Administrator
Due to huge response the shortlisting will be done by 15 October 2017.
Recruitment & Selection Coordinator
19-Jun-17
Due to huge response the shortlisting will be done by 15 October 2017.

13. Remedial action to address situation
Ensure that Council approves submissions at the meeting of September 15th
Exco finalises the shortlisting for the VC position and submit to the meeting of September 29th 2017
Re-instatement and implementation of the Delegation of Authority approved by Council in 2013
Filling of new positions in HR Department in accordance with proposed organogram.

14. Part 2 The infrastructure rollout plan

15. Background
In 2013 the university undertook a major infrastructure needs analysis to provide for historic shortfalls and the rapid growth in students
An infrastructure Master Plan was developed out of this needs analysis
In 2014 ring-fenced funding was received to undertake phase 1 of the Master Plan
The services of an external project management firm were procured to assist the university with the rollout of funded projects

16. The MUT Master Plan
Eleven Projects were identified under the Short Term Campus Extension which formed phase 1 of the Master Plan

17. Projects completed in Phase 1 of the Master Plan
Construction of Social Spaces
Extension and Refurbishment of Engineering Laboratory Building & Equipment
Refurbishment of Lecture Theatres
Algae Biotechnology
Project Management

18. Projects currently under construction in phase 1 of the master plan
Student Residence Phase 1
Engineering Laboratories
Student Centre

19. Student Residence Phase 1
Initiated in 2014 to accommodate 640 Students
Initial amount of approximately R156 million was forecast for the construction
Completion was intended for December 2015
To date approximately R156 million including VAT has been spent for construction
The project is currently 80% complete and has halted

20. Student Residence Phase 1 - Challenges
Local business groups stopped construction on site demanding subcontracting work
To allow for progress the University, together with the contractor, provided these local business groups with sub-contracting work
As a result delays with associated costs were experienced
Claims lodged by contractor and denied by the Principal Agent
Then contractor threatened to lodge a dispute
Agreement was then negotiated for the contractor to complete the work
Council approved settlement and mandated EXCO and Management to locate funds and finalise the matter
Subsequently EXCO decided not to proceed with the settlement agreement, citing the cost
The main contractor de-established and threatened litigation

21. Student Residence Phase 1 – mitigation strategies and way forward
A Council Task Team has recommended to Council that the University re- engages the original contractor – approval awaited on 15 September 2017
Estimated completion costs: R38million
Targeted end date: April 2018

22. New Engineering Laboratories
Initial contract for piling and earthworks only - commenced in 2015;
Initial project budget: R76 million

23. New Engineering Laboratories - Challenges
Project stalled due to litigation claim from the piling and earthworks contractor
Dispute taken to the Association of Adjudicators for adjudication;
The University lost the arbitration and an award of R5,697, (including VAT) was made in favour of the contractor

24. New Engineering Laboratories – mitigation strategies and way forward
The University is currently identifying funds for the award
Thereafter, the entire contract to be restructured, updated and retendered
Targeted end date: still to be determined

25. Student centre
To house a learning and resource centre, meeting rooms, retail, financial, catering and conference facilities
Construction commenced in 2016
Completion was intended for August 2017
Initial project budget: R77 million

26. Student centre - challenges
The project has stalled as the appointed contractor failed to deliver on milestones
The contractor does not seem to have the resources to complete the project
The contractor did not meet payment obligations to selected subcontractors
Project is approximately 30% complete

27. Student centre – mitigation strategies and way forward
The contract has been terminated and the contractor is in the process of de-establishing site
The entire contract will be restructured, updated and retendered

28. Bulk Infrastructure Challenges
Current challenge: bulk sewer infrastructure
The eThekwini Municipality needs to upgrade the sewer pipeline from boundary of the University to the municipal sewer treatment plant
The Municipality has indicated that this can only be complete over the next 4 years
The upgrade of electricity ring main is also required
Connection fees have been paid and we currently await the Municipality to upgrade the connection.
Thereafter the University will have to upgrade the internal reticulation.

29. Contract Risk Mitigation Strategies and way forward
The appointment of the Director: Infrastructure Projects AND Senior Director: Legal Services
This will strengthen the internal project management capacity and enforcement capability
Creation of post of Contracts Officer in the SCM Unit within the proposed organogram
The Director: Infrastructure Projects will be acting as the Principal Agent for all current University Projects.

30. Interaction on the presentation