Nzimande using 'guerrilla tactics'

MINISTER of Higher Education Blade Nzimande has been accused of using guerrilla tactics to take over the running of tertiary institutions.

Vice-chancellor and principal of the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Free State, Thandwa Mthembu, said this yesterday following the ruling in his favour last Monday by the Bloemfontein High Court.

Mthembu and the university council took Nzimande to court after the minister dissolved the council.

This followed a recommendation by assessor Professor Julian Smith.

Nzimande appointed Professor Stanley Ridge to take over CUT.

Smith was appointed for a 15-day period and was paid R75000 to investigate allegations of maladministration and corruption by Mthembu.

Smith recommended that Mthembu be placed on special leave pending the investigation; that the institution's council be dissolved and an administrator appointed while a new council was selected.

Judge Johann Daffue found that Nzimande did not have the powers to terminate the employment of university staff - in this case Mthembu - and that his appointment of an administrator was "drastic".

The University of Zululand was the first institution to be placed under administration in 2010.

Tshwane University of Technology and Walter Sisulu University followed within 18 months.

The Vaal University of Technology is still waiting to hear whether it will also be placed under administration.

Nzimande's spokeswoman Vuyelwa Qinga said: "We are meeting with our legal department today [Monday] to discuss the case." - monamat@sowetan.co.za