By Mogomotsi Magome
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) vice-chancellor Professor Errol Tyobeka has been fired.
Tyobeka's dismissal follows a breakdown in his relationship with the university after his failed legal action against the institution.
His urgent court application to have the university council's decision to advertise his position declared unlawful and null and void was dismissed with costs by the Johannesburg Labour Court.
In his court papers, Tyobeka had claimed that TUT rules stated that he could be appointed for a second term based on his performance and that university council chairwoman Dr Nono Mohutsioa-Mathabathe had voiced her support that his contract be renewed.
The Pretoria News has reported before that Tyobeka's days at the institution were numbered and the court action had worsened the relationship with his employers.
TUT registrar Nico Stofberg has also been dismissed for "abusing his authority and power as secretariat of council by using council records against council, and for undermining and disrespecting the authority of council".
This is believed to relate to the fact that Stofberg had allegedly allowed Tyobeka access to council information so he could prepare for the legal action he took against the institution.
The university described the relationship between Tyobeka and TUT as completely destroyed, and his employment was also terminated with immediate effect.
TUT director of corporate affairs and marketing, Moatlhodi Dilotsotlhe, said the decision to dismiss the two was taken unanimously by the council.
"In its resolution the council noted that this action (Tyobeka's legal action) has virtually broken the trust that existed between the council as the employer and him as employee and current vice-chancellor. Trust is crucial and fundamental for good governance of any academic institution.
"The council also noted that the institution needs to continue to function smoothly and without disruptions emanating from the highest office of its management," said Dilotsotlhe.
He added that TUT would pay Tyobeka for the remaining period of his contract, which ends in July. The deputy vice-chancellor for institutional planning and operations, Professor Johnny Molefe, will act as vice-chancellor until a permanent replacement is announced in October.
When contacted about his departure yesterday, Tyobeka said he was going into a meeting and would only be able to speak to the Pretoria News today.
Meanwhile, the council has also suspended the membership of the executive dean of the faculty of humanities Dr Stanley Mukhola as well as that of research professor in the same faculty Professor Andile Mji.
Though the council has not specified the reasons for the suspensions, Moatlhodi said it was based on the council's membership code of conduct.
- This article was originally published on page 1 of The Pretoria News on June 02, 2010
Published on the Web by IOL on 2010-06-02 04:32:00
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