Nehawu demands probe into staff intimidation, governance, financial abuse claims at Fort Cox

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) has called for an independent investigation into the governance of the Fort Cox Agriculture and Forestry Training Institute, citing a string of allegations ranging from irregular appointments and financial abuse to intimidation of staff. The union has also called for the precautionary suspension of the institution’s principal while the investigation is under way, saying the measure is necessary to protect the integrity of the process and prevent witness intimidation. In a letter submitted to the college council, Nehawu alleges irregular appointments to the positions of principal and deputy director-general, interference in recruitment processes, the questionable appointment of a retired chief financial officer and the misuse of institutional resources for the principal’s personal benefit.

The union further alleges abuse of disciplinary and labour processes, including interference with employees’ salaries, benefits and contractual rights. It also raised concerns that the Centre for Entrepreneurship, Incubation and Rural Development may have operated outside the governance and financial accountability requirements of the Public Finance Management Act. At this stage, everything is under control and any suggestions to the contrary are regretted.

According to the union, the institution has become characterised by intimidation, fear and deteriorating labour relations, leading to the resignation of several senior managers. “Nehawu emphasises that such a suspension is not a finding of guilt but a recognised governance measure to protect the integrity of the investigation and ensure that witnesses can cooperate freely without fear of intimidation or victimisation. “Nehawu calls on the College council, the executive authority and all relevant oversight institutions to act decisively and ensure that all allegations are independently investigated and that anyone found to have acted unlawfully or contrary to good governance principles is held accountable in accordance with the law,” the union said.

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Responding to Dispatch questions, council deputy chairperson Sidney Fadi said the council noted “with regret that Nehawu deemed it necessary to take this matter to the public while council is still at the initial stage of gathering and verifying information to determine whether the allegations can be substantiated or disproved”. Fadi said the issues raised “are contractual in nature between the employer and the employee. As such, they are subject to confidentiality which limits the level of detail that council can disclose at this stage”. He said the matter was receiving “the seriousness and urgency it deserves”.

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