TimesLIVE Premium reports that the vice-chancellor of the University of SA (Unisa), Prof Puleng LenkaBula, has fired the institution’s registrar, Prof Steward Mothata, with immediate effect.
Mothata was placed on precautionary suspension 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 damning report into the affairs of Unisa, which recommended that the institution be placed under administration and the council and management be relieved of their duties. In a letter dated Tuesday, LenkaBula informed Mothata that it was clear that the relationship of trust between him and the university had irretrievably broken. She requested Mothata to return all Unisa property within 24 hours and that “failure to do so would mean that you possess university property illegally”. Mothata’s dismissal follows his 20 June application to the North Gauteng High Court to declare that Unisa’s council is no longer “properly constituted” after the resignation of several members. Mothata’s application to court will be made on 11 July. In his founding affidavit Mothata stated that “the situation at Unisa has deteriorated to a point that it negatively impacts on the public interest”.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Prega Govender at TimesLIVE Premium (subscriber access only)
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