The University of Fort Hare’s vice-chancellor, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, has been dismissed with immediate effect, just two days before he was due to vacate his position following his resignation last month.
Buhlungu resigned shortly before he was scheduled to begin presenting his defence at a disciplinary hearing.
The university council initially rejected his request to leave with immediate effect, citing contractual obligations requiring him to serve a notice period. However, the council later reconsidered its position and agreed to shorten the notice period, with Buhlungu expected to leave office on 23 October.
In a communiqué issued on Wednesday, the council confirmed that Buhlungu had been found guilty of two counts of misconduct and an additional count of insubordination.
The first misconduct charge related to the appointment of members of the management executive committee without the required institutional consultation and council approval. This included the alleged unauthorised appointment of two executive directors.
The second charge concerned statements made in the media which the council said had brought the university into disrepute.
The council said the additional finding of insubordination, together with the other misconduct findings, had further damaged the trust and confidence required to maintain the employment relationship.
“Council determined that these aggravating circumstances, considered together with the findings of guilt, further undermined the trust and confidence necessary to sustain the employment relationship between the university and its vice-chancellor,” the communiqué read.
According to the council, Buhlungu’s employment was terminated with immediate effect on the evening of 21 October, and he had been formally informed of the decision.