THE dissolved Tshwane University of Technology council is taking Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande to court for irregular administrative action.
The disbanded council argues that Nzimande's move to fire them was "irregular" in that is did not comply with provisions of the higher education department.
But the department expressed its shock at the latest move because the council did not object to and was supportive of its dissolution.
In August this year Nzimande dissolved TUT council following the appointment of vice-chancellor Johnny Molefe.
Molefe claimed to have received a doctorate in Business Administration from St George University International in the West Indies in 2002, but it's not a recognised institution.
The South African Qualifications Authority had told Molefe four years ago in a letter sent via registered mail that his doctorate couldn't be validated
But this did not prevent the council from appointing him, saying he was the victim of a non-accredited institution.
Molefe's appointment resulted in the resignation of three council members opposed to his appointment.
In court papers the 22 fired members allege that Nzimande's decision to disband the council was unlawful and needed to be reviewed.
David Motlatla, chairman of the dissolved council, believes Nzimande acted illegally when he authorised an administrator to take over functions of both the governance of the council and the management of the institution.
Motlatla argues that, according to TUT policy the minister can only dissolve the council if an audit finds financial irregularities or maladministration.
Department director-general Gwebinkundla Qonde said he was surprised by the council's move.
"We wrote to council members informing them of our intention to dissolve it and they supported our intention," Qonde said.
"It is questionable that now, after we dissolved it, the council alleges that the move was illegal."
He said the university would defend the case.
The council described Qonde's claim that its disbandment was a mutual step as "a blue lie".
Disbanded varsity council sues Nzimande
THE dissolved Tshwane University of Technology council is taking Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande to court for irregular administrative action.
The disbanded council argues that Nzimande's move to fire them was "irregular" in that is did not comply with provisions of the higher education department.
But the department expressed its shock at the latest move because the council did not object to and was supportive of its dissolution.
In August this year Nzimande dissolved TUT council following the appointment of vice-chancellor Johnny Molefe.
Molefe claimed to have received a doctorate in Business Administration from St George University International in the West Indies in 2002, but it's not a recognised institution.
The South African Qualifications Authority had told Molefe four years ago in a letter sent via registered mail that his doctorate couldn't be validated
But this did not prevent the council from appointing him, saying he was the victim of a non-accredited institution.
Molefe's appointment resulted in the resignation of three council members opposed to his appointment.
In court papers the 22 fired members allege that Nzimande's decision to disband the council was unlawful and needed to be reviewed.
David Motlatla, chairman of the dissolved council, believes Nzimande acted illegally when he authorised an administrator to take over functions of both the governance of the council and the management of the institution.
Motlatla argues that, according to TUT policy the minister can only dissolve the council if an audit finds financial irregularities or maladministration.
Department director-general Gwebinkundla Qonde said he was surprised by the council's move.
"We wrote to council members informing them of our intention to dissolve it and they supported our intention," Qonde said.
"It is questionable that now, after we dissolved it, the council alleges that the move was illegal."
He said the university would defend the case.
The council described Qonde's claim that its disbandment was a mutual step as "a blue lie".
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