DA concerned by appointment of new TUT vice-chancellor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has repeatedly raised its concerns regarding the leadership vacuum at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), and the looming prospect of the former acting vice-chancellor, Professor Johnny Molefe, being appointed to the post of vice-chancellor. However, Professor Molefe was appointed to this position at a special council meeting on Friday. The fact that Professor Molefe has a fraudulent doctorate obtained from a false university is one of a range of reasons why the DA does not regard Professor Molefe as fit to lead TUT.

TUT's academic leadership has been strongly against the appointment of Professor Molefe and feels sidelined by external members of the university council who are allegedly supporting his appointment for suspect reasons. It has been suggested that lucrative extensions planed for TUT could be behind the support shown for Professor Molefe by external members, who form the majority of the council.

With eleven campuses and 55,000 registered students, TUT is the largest residential university in our country. It is in serious need of responsible, credible and accountable leadership. The university and its students deserve stability after a leadership vacumn that has seen unrest among staff members and resulted in the resignation of senior academics.

Several months ago, a commission of enquiry was launched to investigate the circumstances surrounding the delayed and often tainted appointment process of the vice-chancellor. The DA is concerned that the council is yet to respond to the recommendations put forward by this commission and supports the call by Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, for the university council to take immediate action in this regard. Should they fail to do so it could result in a regrettable, albeit warranted, intervention by the Minister, who would need to appoint an administrator to take over management of the university.

The DA also believes that the university council needs to urgently explain how an individual with suspect academic credentials was appointed to such a senior position at this institution. We trust that these issues will be addressed immediately and through the appropriate channels in order to curtail further damage to the reputation and educational processes at this institution.

Statement issued by Dr. Junita Kloppers-Lourens, MP, DA Shadow Minister of Higher Education and Training, July 31 2011

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