The embattled University of South Africa (Unisa) has been left reeling after vice-chancellor Prof Puleng LenkaBula placed registrar Prof Steward Mothata on precautionary suspension with immediate effect on Monday.
In a three-page letter, LenkaBula informed him that he breached policies and procedures “in serious allegations of misconduct” including 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”.
Mothata 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.
The suspension comes 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.
Mosia said his assessment revealed “a cauldron of instability characterised by a culture of fear, intimidation and bullying, instances of maladministration, financial irregularities, human resource failures, poor student services, academic malpractices and questionable management and council decisions”.
Unisa is the largest open distance learning institution on the continent, enrolling almost a third of South Africa’s university students.
The report was also scathing of LenkaBula, stating: “There is a tendency on the part of the VC to blame subordinates for governance failures rather than taking responsibility herself as an ethical leader should.”
Mosia also mentioned the “glaring tension between the VC and the registrar” which he said was something he heard about from students, staff, managers at various levels and members of council.
“It became clear to me that the relationship had become irreparable — and it was seriously impacting the work of the university.”
LenkaBula also indicated in her letter to Mothata that he allegedly “usurped” and “assumed powers and functions beyond those assigned to him” as secretary of council.
She stated that none of the functions of the secretary of council as contained in the university’s statute “grant you the right to take decisions on behalf of council and/or the principal and vice-chancellor”.
We told the assessor that after he is done, there will be intimidation, bullying and the targeting of people. I was always a target for telling the truth. I was suspended for telling the truth.
— Unisa registrar, Prof Steward Mothata
LenkaBula said Mothata’s e-mail to council dated June 5 about the status of council “sought to cancel meetings of council outside your delegated authority” which was in contravention of the university’s statute.
“In addition to the nature of the misconduct and the seriousness thereof, I am convinced that your continued role as the university registrar and secretary of council will continue to jeopardise and undermine the official business of the university and that of council because there exists a reasonable fear that misconduct of a similar nature may continue.”
In a recent e-mail to council members which TimesLIVE Premium has seen, Mothata stated that he had indicated to them in another e-mail dated June 1 that the composition of council does not comply with the Higher Education Act (HEA) and the university’s statute.
“I also indicated that given this situation, all meetings of committees and of council itself will be postponed until we remedy this situation.”
He informed them that the decision to postpone all committee meetings was justified “given that the committees’ recommendations to council and council itself does not comply with a section of the HEA and, worse still, the majority of council members are internal”.
“Recommendations from committees should be presented to a properly and lawfully constituted council.”
According to the HEA, 60% of council members must be people who are not students of Unisa or employed by the institution.
Mothata said there were only eight external members and nine internal members of council “which is far short of the 60% prescribed in the HEA”.
“This has a devastating effect on the functioning of council. Council is not properly constituted and it will therefore be irresponsible of me as registrar and secretary of council to allow meetings of committees and council to sit knowing full well that there would be no quorum in our council meetings.”
He informed council members that until the composition of council was remedied, “no other claims” for council fees and travelling will be processed.
The Sunday Times reported last weekend that Unisa’s council chair, James Maboa, is paid R6,232 for every meeting attended and council members R4,363.
Mothata told TimesLIVE Premium: “We told the assessor that after he is done, there will be intimidation, bullying and the targeting of people. I was always a target for telling the truth. I was suspended for telling the truth.”
He said the letter of suspension was vague and that he will be approaching the courts.
“I told them [council] I will not pay their fees should they meet because they can’t quorate. That is why I am suspended. The only thing to rescue Unisa is administration.”
Unisa spokesperson Tommy Huma had not yet responded to a media enquiry e-mailed to him.
Maboa said council would issue a statement later today.
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