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TimesLIVE Premium reports that University of SA (Unisa) registrar Prof Steward Mothata has hit back at vice-chancellor Prof Puleng LenkaBula, who fired him this week with immediate effect.
“First, she has no powers to suspend or dismiss me. This was her intention all along. She has a lot to answer for. Unisa is on its knees because of her,” he charged. Mothata added that the university council had failed Unisa “big time” and could not hold LenkaBula accountable as she was “a law unto herself”. Mothata’s dismissal came in the wake of independent assessor Prof Themba Mosia’s damning report into the institution's affairs. It recommended Unisa be placed under administration and council and management members be relieved of their duties. LenkaBula placed Mothata on precautionary suspension on 5 June for allegedly breaching confidentiality, gross abuse of office, gross dishonesty, 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 possible related risks. Mothata was subsequently fired because, according to LenkaBula, the relationship of trust between him and the university had irretrievably broken down. His dismissal followed his 20 June application to the North Gauteng High Court to declare that Unisa’s council was no longer “properly constituted” after the resignation of several members. Mothata’s court application will be made on 11 July.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Prega Govender at TimesLIVE Premium (subscriber access only)
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