Long stay at helm stirs row

A standoff has ensued between the University of Limpopo (UL) and the parliamentary portfolio committee on higher education after university management failed to explain the extended term of principal and vice-chancellor Prof Mahlo Mokgalong and council chair Pandelani Nefolovhodwe, in violation of university policy.

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

Additionally, the committee was demanding clarification on the accuracy of last year's students representative council (SRC) elections, which were conducted electronically amid rumours of rigging.

Now the committee has asked the Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane to appoint an independent assessor to probe the university over the matter.

Mokgalong has been at the university helm since 2003 after Nefolovhodwe's council extended his terms many times. He was supposed to serve two terms.

The vice-chancellor told the committee during a meeting on 20 November last year that he had been requested to stay on so that he could mentor his successor.