The University of Fort Hare has formally charged Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu with gross misconduct, insubordination and bringing the institution into disrepute in a developing internal dispute that has drawn attention to the university’s leadership and governance processes.
According to the university, Buhlungu is accused of unlawfully appointing two Executive Directors without following the required procedures. The institution says he did not consult the Senate or the Institutional Forum before making the appointments, and also failed to obtain approval from the council. The charges suggest that the university believes proper institutional oversight was bypassed in the decision-making process.
Buhlungu was placed on precautionary suspension on 30 March, as the university moved to address the allegations. The suspension marked a significant escalation in tensions between the vice-chancellor and the institution, with the dispute now centered on both administrative decisions and conduct in public.
In addition to the appointment allegations, Buhlungu is also accused of damaging the university’s reputation through comments he made during an interview. The university says those remarks contributed to bringing the institution into disrepute, adding another layer to the misconduct case.
The formal charges indicate that the matter is now being handled through internal disciplinary processes. The university has not publicly detailed the full evidence behind the allegations, but the accusations point to concerns over compliance, authority, and the manner in which senior appointments were handled.
Fort Hare, one of South Africa’s historic universities, has faced intense scrutiny over governance issues in recent years. The new charges against its vice-chancellor are likely to raise further questions about leadership stability and institutional accountability at the university.
Buhlungu’s suspension and subsequent charges come at a time when universities across the country continue to face pressure to demonstrate transparent governance and adherence to policy in senior management decisions. The case may also affect the university’s public image as it navigates the dispute.
For now, the allegations remain untested in a formal hearing, and the outcome will depend on the disciplinary process underway. The university’s decision to charge its vice-chancellor signals a serious breakdown in relations between the administration and its top executive, with the situation likely to remain closely watched in the coming days.
