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TimesLIVE Premium reports that the suspended registrar of the University of South Africa (Unisa), Prof Steward Mothata, has asked the North Gauteng High Court to declare that the university’s council is no longer “properly constituted” after the resignation of several members.
Mothata was placed on precautionary suspension by vice-chancellor, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, on 5 June for allegedly breaching confidentiality, gross abuse of office, gross dishonesty and gross insubordination and “giving and making false or damaging statements in the execution of his duties and/or in public”. He was also accused of “sabotaging the academic project and/or the business of the university” and “dereliction of duty” by failing to advise the council and its committees, as well as LenkaBula, on governance matters and the possible related risks. His suspension came in the wake of independent assessor Prof Themba Mosia’s report into the affairs of Unisa, which recommended that Unisa be placed under administration and the council and management be relieved of their duties. Mothata’s application to court will be made on 11 July. In his founding affidavit Mothata stated: “The vice-chancellor, in purportedly placing me on suspension, acted ultra vires since that power reposes in council. The vice-chancellor has no such authority and cannot exercise a power she does not in law have.” He said he made council aware on 5 June that it was no longer properly constituted. “The council rejected my guidance. It is abundantly clear that my suspension was as a result of my advice to council,” Mothata asserted.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Prega Govender at TimesLIVE Premium (subscriber access only)
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