Vice-chancellor on ‘special leave’

COULD Prins Nevhutalu be the first vice-chancellor to fall?

It has emerged that the Cape Peninsula University of Technology head has been placed on special leave.

The step has been taken after calls by #FeesMustFall protesters for him to resign because he had failed the institution.

Last Thursday, during a general assembly meeting of students, employees and staff, one of the points on the agenda was “Nevhutalu must fall’’.

At the meeting, near-chaos erupted when Nevhutalu tried to leave the hall to answer his phone. Protesters demanded he stay put.

On Sunday, in an e-mail notice to staff and students, varsity council chairman Mbulelo Bikwani wrote: “Please note that council has placed the vice-chancellor, Dr Prins Nevhutalu, on special leave from October 21 until further notice.’’

Contacted yesterday, Bikwani refused to say why Nevhutalu had been placed on leave a day after the general assembly.

“I can’t confirm anything,” Bikwani said.

“I will confirm something after the executive council meeting that is happening tonight [last night].”

The council would be discussing “the whole issue with problems at the university” and the calls by protesters for Nevhutalu to step down.

Nevhutalu could not be reached for comment.