News24.com | Vice-chancellor Dan Kgwadi threatens legal action against VUT for placing him on special leave

• Vaal University of Technology vice-chancellor Professor Dan Kgwadi is considering pursuing legal action against the institution after being placed on special leave.
• He alleges the institution took the decision after he took sick leave.
• According to Kgwadi, VUT chairperson Professor Mandla Radebe scolded him for being "forever sick".

Vaal University of Technology (VUT) vice-chancellor Professor Dan Kgwadi has threatened to launch legal action against the institution for placing him on special leave.

Kgwadi said this came after he took 14 days' sick leave in January, during which he was hospitalised for five days.

He told News24 on Wednesday he had worked from home for the remainder of the leave.

Kgwadi said he informed VUT chairperson Professor Mandla Radebe on 13 February he would be working from home after he was discharged, and he had records of online meetings which he had attended during this period.

However, he added, Radebe scolded him for being "forever sick" and recommended he medically board himself.

On 17 February, he received a letter informing him of the university council's decision to place him on special leave, pending a review of his probationary process.

Kgwadi said he was blindsided as Radebe did not raise the issue during their phone conversation.

"This is contradictory. I don't know, at the moment, what they meant when they said that my [employment] contract is not confirmed and that I am put on leave."

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The letter, seen by News24, stated Kgwadi was required to serve six months' probation from the date of employment, 1 February 2022.

The university extended his probationary period to 31 January 2023 following discussions between the council and him. The extension was on the condition his probation report would have been submitted by then.

However, Kgwadi wanted VUT to pay his retirement package for the remainder of his contract.

"I want them to pay out my contract. I still have four years with them. We don't have to work together. My lawyers will communicate with them. They can volunteer a settlement, or we can go to court," he said.

Radebe confirmed to News24 the council issued the letter informing Kgwadi of its decision to put him on special leave.

He did not wish to comment on allegations against him, saying this would be in breach of the university's policy as the matter was confidential.

On Kgwadi's intention to legally challenge the decision, Radebe said: "Like any citizen of the country, Prof Kgwadi has a right to handle his personal matters any way he deems fit."