SUSPENDED vice chancellor at the Mangosuthu University of Technology Aaron Ndlovu says the knives have been out for him for a long time.

He said the latest round of allegations of misconduct, poor governance and fraud levelled at him by the university in Umlazi, south of Durban, are a "fabrication by someone with a personal vendetta".

Speaking out for the first time since he was suspended from the university 10 months ago, Ndlovu, pictured, told Sowetan in an exclusive interview that he believe "one person" at the university was "out to get him". He would not name the person but said the person "has power and knows it".

Ndlovu, who earns more than R1million a year, was suspended pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of misconduct, fraud and corruption, and poor governance, at the university.

In May he was officially charged by the university and papers were handed to his lawyers.

A forensic audit conducted by Price Waterhouse Coopers into the university's financial status cited major problems in the administration and management of university property, loans and accounts, and deficiencies in the approval of salaries and expenditure at executive level.

It also cited irregularities relating to the inclusion of students on the students representative council on the institution's payroll.

Ndlovu said he had not received the forensic audit report. He claimed the previous Vincent Mapai commission report had also been withheld.

"Why has the university hidden the report if it contains the truth?" he asked.

"I know for a fact that the university council is not in on this.

"As far as I know the council is not aware of what is happening, they only read about it in the papers."

But Jonathan Jansen, the administrator caretaker, yesterday rejected Ndlovu's allegations that charges against him were "a personal vendetta".

"I can assure you this is a straightforward technical exercise."