By Johnathan Paoli

The University of Fort Hare council has placed its vice-chancellor, Sakhela Buhlungu, on precautionary suspension with full pay, pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings linked to findings from a forensic investigation into senior executive appointments.

‎According to media platform EdNews, a letter on Tuesday signed by council chairperson Siyanda Makaula stated that the decision followed consideration of Buhlungu’s written representations, the forensic report and all relevant circumstances.

‎The move centres on irregularities in the appointment processes of two executive directors, where council approval was not obtained as required under the institution’s statutes.

According to the council, these failures constituted serious breaches implicating senior management decision-making and oversight structures.

The council maintained  that the VC’s continued presence in office could reasonably give rise to risks of interference with potential witnesses or institutional records.

The suspension takes immediate effect and will remain in force until the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings, unless lifted earlier.

The council stressed that the measure does not constitute a disciplinary sanction.

‎Buhlungu has been instructed not to enter university premises without prior written approval and to refrain from contacting staff, students, service providers or other stakeholders on matters related to the investigation.

He is also required to make available any university property or documentation needed for the process and to attend a disciplinary hearing once formally convened.

His employment contract remains in force.

The decision follows a special council meeting held earlier in the month, after the conclusion of a forensic investigation into alleged irregularities in the appointment of the executive director for infrastructure and technology, and the executive director for people management and engagement.

In a statement issued on 20 March, the council said the investigation found that four senior management employees “failed to comply with the requirements of Section 19.1 of the university statute, in that council approval was not obtained” for the appointments.

‎The council confirmed that appropriate disciplinary action has since been imposed on the implicated employees.

The university cited Section 10.1 of its employee relations and procedures, which provides that “where the policies, norms, values, standards and principles of the University of Fort Hare have been violated, the university has the right, through the disciplinary procedure, to apply appropriate corrective action in a fair manner”.

However, the decision to suspend Buhlungu has raised concerns with reports indicating that the vice-chancellor himself flagged the irregularities and attempted to correct them once they came to light, but was ignored.

According to the EdNews, a subsequent forensic investigation did not find wrongdoing on Buhlungu’s part and that tensions between the vice-chancellor and elements within the university leadership have been escalating, particularly following a series of investigations into governance and corruption at the institution.

It has been reported that this move follows a sense of revenge against Buhlungu following his cooperation with probes by the SIU into alleged maladministration at the university.

Buhlungu has been at the forefront of efforts to stabilise the institution, which has in recent years been rocked by governance challenges, including high-profile investigations into procurement and security contracts.

Despite the controversy, the council maintains that due process will be followed.

Formal notice of the disciplinary hearing, including specific charges and logistical details, is expected to be issued in due course in line with university policy.

The unfolding developments place renewed scrutiny on governance processes at the University of Fort Hare, as well as on the balance between accountability and institutional stability at one of South Africa’s historic higher education institutions.

INSIDE EDUCATION