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Fort Hare council fires vice-chancellor Sakhela Buhlungu

Published

The University of Fort Hare council dismissed Professor Sakhela Buhlungu for gross misconduct on Wednesday, after a disciplinary hearing found him guilty on two counts. He had resigned in September, and his last day was set for 23 October.

The council ended Buhlungu's employment with immediate effect. The hearing found him guilty of appointing senior managers without the required consultation. It also found him guilty of making disparaging statements about the university in the media.

A university statement said the chairperson of the disciplinary hearing found the misconduct serious enough to be gross misconduct. The council said his continued non-participation in the proceedings was an aggravating circumstance that undermined trust and confidence. The university placed him on precautionary suspension on 30 March.

Buhlungu resigned with immediate effect on 28 September. The council said he needed to serve a three-month notice period and face a disciplinary hearing. Council chairperson Siyanda Makaula later said the council had accepted the resignation and that he would serve a shorter notice period.

The university has appointed Professor Wezile Chitha of Walter Sisulu University as its next vice-chancellor.

Key facts

Who
Sakhela Buhlungu (Suspended vice-chancellor of the University of Fort Hare); Siyanda Makaula (Chairperson of the University of Fort Hare council); Wezile Chitha (Professor at Walter Sisulu University, appointed next vice-chancellor of the…); University of Fort Hare council (Governing council that dismissed Buhlungu)
What
The Fort Hare council decided at a special meeting on Wednesday evening to dismiss Buhlungu, even though it had accepted his resignation, whose last day was set for 23 October. The university has appointed Professor Wezile Chitha from Walter Sisulu University as its next vice-chancellor.
When
21 October 2026
Where
Fort Hare, Walter Sisulu University, Eastern Cape
Status
Reported

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