Maties, ex-staff in spat over accommodation

A DISGRUNTLED former employee of Stellenbosch University (SU) has accused the institution of “discrimination”, alleging that a white counterpart was allocated a housing benefit while she was denied the same privilege despite occupying a similar position.

Gcobisa Yani said she had to pay R7 600 a month for rent while she was supposed to live for free during her tenure as a Listen, Live and Learn co-ordinator at the institution.

But the university rejected the allegations yesterday, saying Yani did not receive any housing benefit because she was appointed on a temporary contract.

Yani, who is also a former student of the university, said when she signed an employment contract, it was verbally communicated to her that she would move into university accommodation, as her white colleague had already been granted housing, and both were employed on a fixed employment contract.

“It was initially communicated that I would move in at the flat. So when I requested the keys and access to the flat, the deputy director informed me that the then senior director had refused to sign my housing contract.

“The then senior director was a white woman and she willingly signed both the white colleagues’ contracts and for no apparent reason she refused to sign mine,” she said.

She said when she stood up to the “injustice”, she was “bullied, harassed and intimidated” and served with an eviction order.

“I want the university to redress the injustice. Particularly since the current senior director, who is a black woman, was ready to refund my rental money but she was undermined and they took the matter to court where they have an upper hand, undermining the internal protocols and structures of the university,” Yani said.

SU spokesperson Martin Viljoen said Yani was appointed to a temporary position and the colleague that she referred to was appointed in a secondary position as a residence head.

He said accommodation was allocated for all residence heads.

“There was nothing unclear in the communication and appointment processes.

“If Ms Yani said she was paying

R7 600 per month, it probably refers to private accommodation she made use of at the time – as is the case with thousands of staff and students at the university.

“It should be emphasised again that accommodation was never offered as part of the temporary contract with the university,” he said.

Viljoen added that some time after her temporary employment came to an end, Yani “unlawfully” took occupation of the university’s property while she was not a student or an employee.

Viljoen said an eviction order was then obtained against her, and the university currently intended to proceed with steps to execute the order.

“To date, SU has suffered severe prejudice as a result of Yani’s actions and it was compelled to incur significant legal costs to evict Yani from its property.

“These costs could have been better spent by the university to assist students with financial needs,” he said.

“Yani is educated with tertiary qualifications, gainfully employed and should not experience any difficulty in acquiring alternative accommodation.”