By Thapelo Molefe
The University of Fort Hare has dismissed Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu following a disciplinary hearing that found him guilty of two counts of misconduct.
The university’s council confirmed his dismissal on Wednesday, after considering the findings and recommendation of an independent disciplinary chairperson.
Buhlungu was placed on precautionary suspension with full pay on 30 March following a forensic investigation into the appointment of two executive directors without the required council approval.
The investigation, conducted by Morar Incorporated Auditors, found that the appointments had not complied with section 19.1 of the university’s Institutional Statute, which requires the necessary institutional consultation and council approval.
He was formally charged in May with gross misconduct, insubordination and bringing the university into disrepute.
The charges included allegations that he appointed the two senior executives without the required consultation with the university’s Senate and Institutional Forum and without council approval.
Buhlungu resigned on 28 September, shortly before he was due to present his defence at the disciplinary hearing. He requested that his resignation take effect immediately, but council initially rejected the request because his employment contract required him to serve a notice period.
Council later agreed to shorten his notice period, setting 23 October as his departure date, while insisting that the disciplinary proceedings would continue.
The university has now terminated his employment two days before that date.
The independent disciplinary chairperson found Buhlungu guilty of appointing members of the Management Executive Committee (MEC) without the required consultation and council approval.
He was also found guilty of making disparaging statements in the media that brought the university into disrepute.
However, he was found not guilty of the charge of insubordination.
The chairperson issued the findings on 15 October and recommended dismissal on Tuesday, concluding that the misconduct was serious enough to constitute gross misconduct.
In a communique, council chairperson Dr Siyanda Makaula said council considered the findings and recommendation at a special meeting on Wednesday before resolving to dismiss Buhlungu with immediate effect.
Although the chairperson cleared Buhlungu of insubordination, council said his conduct demonstrated a failure to show the necessary respect for the university’s governing authority.
“Although the conduct concerned did not constitute insubordination, it nevertheless demonstrated a failure to accord the requisite respect to the University’s governing authority,” Makaula said.
He said the council also considered his continued non-participation in the disciplinary proceedings an aggravating circumstance.
“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,” Makaula said.
Buhlungu’s employment was terminated on Wednesday evening, and the decision was communicated to him.
Buhlungu has led the Eastern Cape institution since 2017.
The university has appointed Professor Wezile Chitha, currently executive dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Walter Sisulu University, as its incoming vice-chancellor and principal. He is expected to take up the position on 1 January 2027.
Makaula said Buhlungu’s dismissal concluded the disciplinary proceedings arising from the Morar Report, which identified serious misconduct involving breaches of the university’s Institutional Statute by several employees.
The process involved three separate disciplinary hearings, each presided over by an independent chairperson. According to council, all three chairpersons independently concluded that the misconduct in their respective cases warranted dismissal.
“Significantly, all three chairpersons independently concluded that the misconduct was of such gravity as to warrant dismissal, underscoring the seriousness of the statutory breaches and the imperative of accountability in the exercise of institutional authority,” Makaula said.
Makaula thanked the university community for its patience and continued trust in the process, saying council remained committed to exercising its oversight responsibilities “without fear, favour or prejudice” and in the best interests of the institution.
