NUST students petition Dean

Students at NUST have petitioned the dean of students over allegations that Students Representative Council (SRC) leader, Shadowlit Sidija Ndou, abused funds meant to cater for the students who attended President Robert Mugabe's birthday party in Victoria Falls two weeks ago.

In a petition at our disposal, the students appealed to the Dean, Dr Kamusoko, to authorise investigations into Ndou's case as required by the student's constitution.

The petitioners said allegations levelled against Ndou do not reflect the aspiration, constitutional values, motives and patriotism of the student union and were tarnishing the image of the institution hence need for an investigation.

"Ordinance No. 30 (AMENDED 2006), deals with the rules of student conduct and Chapter 3, Section 1, Sub-section 4 makes it explicit that, the actions of any student, reasonably likely to be harmful to the interests of the University, members of the University Staff and Students shall be investigated by the university," reads the petition. "Madam Dean, the allegations levelled against our president are not of any good to our institution, honestly there is a need for an investigation."

In relation to the reports in the media on allegations laid against Ndou, the students said the reports portray NUST as a thievery institution where student leaders have developed a culture of getting away with voluminous amounts of money, meant for the students.

"This is not the ideal NUST we all joined Madam Dean. It will be a crime against humanity if such a culture is left unchecked," pleaded the students through the petition.

The students also urged the dean to set up an audit to ensure that due process of the law is followed.

The petition quotes article 11.2 of the student constitution which empowers the Vice President of the student board to inspect and examine all financial records within the custody of the treasurer. They called for the Vice President to be allowed to exercise his constitutional right.

They also called for an immediate return to the constitution and enforce the provisions which punish those who go against the laws stipulated in it.

"In the face of the allegations levelled against our president, Madam Dean we plead for an immediate return to constitutionalism, to return to our valued norms that are enshrined in our constitution, where the students union is bound by love, peace, democracy progress and the elimination of all forms of racism, backwardness, self-enrichment agendas by elected members of the union," reads the petition.

Ndou is alleged to have swindled the students of more than US $3000 after receiving a sum of about US $6000 from the institution, which was transferred by the institution into his personal account.

This is despite the fact that the constitution of student stipulates that the money should be transferred into the Treasury's account.

The Treasurer as the custodian of the account therefore has to ensure that all funds allocated to the SRC are spent as directed by the SRC and the proper and accurate records of all receipts and expenditure are kept.

In a recent interview with Chronicle, NUST Spokesperson, Felix Moyo said the institution has already launched a probe into Ndou's case.

"There is an on-going audit over the matter, let it take its course. This is student politics and students are supposed to govern themselves," said Moyo.