City Press reports that the audit and risk committee (ARC) of the University of Fort Hare has recommended the suspension of the vice-chancellor (VC), professor Sakhela Buhlungu.  

It claims he overstepped his authority and undermined the committee, which represents the council, the highest decision-making body of the university.  Buhlungu is embroiled in a controversy over an alleged affair with an employee in his office.  The controversy began when he suspended the university’s chief audit executive, Martin Soqaga, the head of the internal audit unit.  The duties of the unit include investigating whether the correct processes were followed leading to the implicated employee’s appointment in the VC’s office.  In July last year, a whistle-blower alerted the university to the alleged relationship between Buhlungu and a worker in his office.  The employee was apparently later promoted to a position that falls under the VC’s administration.  Buhlungu’s office and the employee have denied the alleged affair.  In December last year the ARC wrote to Buhlungu asking him to “immediately withdraw” Soqaga’s suspension, saying his decision was procedurally irregular.  Then, in a strongly worded letter written by the ARC in January and addressed to council chairperson advocate Thandi Orleyn, the committee demanded that Buhlungu be temporarily suspended.

• Read the full original of Msindisi Fengu’s report on this story at City Press

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