Expelled student to fight varsity

A University of Limpopo student has vowed to fight what he describes as an unlawful expulsion from the institution.

Thabo Mabotja, a final year law student, said he was accused of leaking information to the Mail & Guardian newspaper about dubious tenders awarded to "friends" of the expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema.

The paper had written an article exposing a tender worth R60-million for converting a gymnasium into a library at the university.

But, Mabotja said he had nothing to do with the allegations. He said on September 21 he received a call from university's spokesman, Kgalema Mohuba, informing him of his expulsion.

Mabotja, 24, said he went back to campus four days later, after the long weekend, only to be told by security guards that he had been barred from the institution.

Mabotja said that the action against him had resulted in him missing out on at least five tests, and that he was supposed to start his final examinations on October 29.

But Mohuba said the allegations about Mabotja's expulsion being linked to an article in the Mail & Guardian were a "fallacy".

Mohuba said Mabotja was initially suspended for two years and had been pardoned for this year.

"Mabotja failed to comply with the conditions of the lifting of his suspension - related to disruptions and malicious damage to property - hence it was reinstated," he said.

He said a letter would be forwarded to Mabotja by late yesterday.

- frankm@sowetan.co.za