TimesLIVE reports that Prof Thandwa Mthembu, vice-chancellor and principal of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) has applied for an order in the Durban High Court to interdict the university’s executive council from suspending him.

The decision by the executive council to suspend Mthembu was communicated to him last Thursday. It is in relation to Project DUT 355, the university’s project to construct its new engineering building and lecture halls at Indumiso Campus and the construction of a student centre, multipurpose halls and a parking garage at Steve Biko Campus. A forensic investigation was instituted last year to look into the delays in the implementation of the project. The forensic report recommended that Mthembu be suspended and disciplined. However, the university obtained three legal opinions which stated that the findings and recommendations were irrational, unjustifiable and illegal. Despite these opinions, a suspension letter was sent to Mthembu on 5 September. The council said the suspension was to allow the university to investigate possible charges of, among other things, gross negligence, substandard work performance, dereliction of duties, possible misappropriation of funds and causing the institution financial losses relating to the project. Mthembu, in an urgent application filed on Monday, is also seeking an order interdicting the executive committee from instituting disciplinary action against him. The application will be heard on 18 September.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE

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