Union calls on CPUT council to act against vice-chancellor
CAPE Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) vice-chancellor Dr Prins Nevhutalu has been accused of gross misconduct after an employee union lodged a complaint against him with the university council.
In a letter to council chairman, Mbulelo Bikwani, dated February 15, the Cape Peninsula University Employees Union states that Nevhutalu “has consistently placed CPUT at risk as a result of his continued failures, poor leadership and negative behaviour, which has undermined the institution’s ability to function effectively and efficiently”.
“Matters have reached a point where it is no longer permissible for the safety and survival of CPUT to ignore the alleged gross misconduct and operational mismanagement of the VC,” it stated.
Nevhutalu has encouraged the union to come forward with proof. Some of the allegations contained in the letter include:
That Nevhutalu had placed CPUT at risk of being slapped with a fine of about R 100 million by the Department of Labour for non-compliance with the Employment Equity Act.
That CPUT doesn’t have an employment equity plan “that is compliant with the law that applies to seeking substantive equality in the workplace”.
“Fruitless and wasteful expenditure” of more than R1m of “avoidable costs” arising from “the inefficient and weak human resources practices and management by the VC”.
That he mismanaged the student protests “and placed CPUT at risk”.
That he didn’t provide a written reply to wage proposals, contributing to “a breakdown in the relationship with organised labour”, which has resulted in industrial action being initiated.
Last week, the Joint Unions Task Team, consisting of three unions, informed the vice-chancellor that it had received a mandate from its members “for the inevitable pursuit of industrial action” following a deadlock in wage negotiations.
In the letter to Bikwani, the workers’ union called for Nevhutalu to be suspended pending the outcome of an investigation into the allegations.
“We call on the council to treat this matter with the degree of seriousness that it warrants.
“In all the years of CPUT’s existence this institution has never experienced the level of damage and harm which CPUT now faces.”
The union asked the council for a written response by February 22 but indicated that no response had been received although the registrar had requested “clarity” on some of the allegations made in the letter.
The union’s chairman, Ben Turner, said if the council failed to act it would have to escalate the matter to the office of Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande.
CPUT spokeswoman Lauren Kansley said the various allegations against Nevhutalu “have not been channelled directly to him”.
“It is understood that this will be tabled at the next council meeting in March, after which we will be better prepared to respond.
“Dr Nevhutalu however encourages those who have laid the formal complaint to bring evidentiary proof so the matter can be aired appropriately and in the right forum.”