MASERU
The National University of Lesotho (NUL) has been drawn into a growing financial controversy after an events company accused Student Representative Council (SRC) President Tumo Tsanyane of breach of agreement, unpaid services and reputational damage linked to the university’s recent Intervarsity event.
Entertainment and events company Unicon Productions has formally lodged a complaint with the NUL Vice Chancellor, demanding R340,000 from Tsanyane over what it describes as a botched service arrangement involving two musical artists.
Services Allegedly Commissioned
In a letter addressed to the university’s leadership, Unicon Productions claims that Tsanyane approached the company to source and coordinate two artists for the Intervarsity event.
According to the company, the agreed cost for securing the artists and coordinating the performance arrangements was R170,000.
The company says it initially received R30,000, followed by another R30,000 payment which was later reversed.
Unicon claims that after the reversal, Tsanyane publicly alleged that the company had “scammed him,” an accusation it says is false and damaging to its reputation.
Breach of Agreement Alleged
The complaint outlines a series of issues that the company says constitute a breach of their agreement.
Among the allegations are that the SRC leadership:
• Engaged another service provider without notifying Unicon
• Continued to use artists’ images and promotional material sourced through Unicon
• Failed to settle outstanding payments despite work already undertaken
As a result, the company says R140,000 remains outstanding, representing services rendered, deposits already paid and what it describes as the unauthorised use of artists’ intellectual property.
Additional Claim for Reputational Damage
Beyond the unpaid amount, Unicon Productions is seeking R200,000 in damages.
The company says Tsanyane’s public claim that it was running a “scam” has damaged its reputation and created complications with its banking relationships.
Together, the claims amount to R340,000.
Complaint Filed With University
The complaint, signed by Unicon Productions Director Thato Mofosi, asks the university to formally acknowledge the dispute given that the engagement was allegedly initiated by individuals acting in their official SRC capacity.
The company is also requesting:
• An urgent meeting with university management
• A formal disciplinary investigation into the conduct of Tumo Tsanyane
• Investigation of the role of Tsepo Khonyane, whom the company identifies as involved in the matter
Unicon says it possesses documentary evidence supporting its claims and is prepared to submit it to the university if requested.
The company emphasised that it hopes to resolve the matter professionally and amicably, while also urging the university to safeguard its institutional credibility.
“Universities exist to shape future leaders,” the complaint states, adding that student leadership structures should not be used in ways that undermine professional integrity or damage partnerships with external stakeholders.
Questions Over Payment Process
Speaking to Lesotho Tribune, Unicon Productions director Thato Mofosi said the arrangement was based on a gentleman’s agreement, supported by message exchanges confirming acceptance of the quotation.
“We didn’t have a formal written contract,” Mofosi said. “What we had was a gentleman’s agreement. We had sent a quotation which they agreed to through the messages we exchanged with Tumo.”
Mofosi also raised concerns about how the payments were handled.
“The money was paid from Tumo’s personal account. He kept telling us that the university could not transfer the funds directly into our account,” he said.
According to Mofosi, the company suspects Tsanyane may have received the full amount intended for the services but only transferred R60,000, before reversing half of it.
“Our biggest suspicion is that he asked for the entire funds. Out of that he only sent us R60,000, and the R30,000 he later reversed,” Mofosi alleged.
Tsanyane Denies Allegations
Contacted for comment, SRC President Tumo Tsanyane dismissed the accusations and argued that his team discovered significant price discrepancies in the quotes allegedly provided by Unicon.
Tsanyane said the SRC later obtained different pricing information directly linked to the artists.
“He informed me of their prices,” Tsanyane said. “Xduppy wanted R120,000 but it was negotiated to R70,000. He said A-Reece demanded R70,000 but Tsepo Khonyane later found another quotation.”
According to Tsanyane, the alternative information suggested that one artist could be booked for R30,000, far less than the figures Unicon had allegedly presented.
He said the decision to reverse the payment was taken after the SRC suspected irregularities.
“We asked one local bank to suspend the transaction because we saw signs that he was extorting money from us and charging amounts that were not agreed with the artists,” Tsanyane said.
“Yes, we felt like we were being scammed because that is a lot of money.”
University Yet to Comment
By the time of publication, NUL management had not publicly responded to the complaint or confirmed whether an investigation into the matter would be launched.
The dispute now raises broader questions about financial accountability within student leadership structures, particularly when university-related events involve large sums of money and private service providers.
