Pretoria - A new vice chancellor has been appointed at the troubled Tshwane University of Technology, which has been under administration for the past year.
University spokeswoman Willa de Ruyter said Professor Nthabiseng Ogude started at her new post on Wednesday.
Ogude, who was previously the Vice-Principal for Teaching and Learning and Student Affairs at the University of Pretoria, is the first woman to hold the position at TUT.
Ogude replaces the axed former vice-chancellor Prof Johnny Molefe.
Molefe was the deputy vice-chancellor responsible for TUT institutional planning and operations until he was appointed to act as vice-chancellor.
When it came to light that he had allegedly used a revoked evaluation certificate to apply for the university's top job, administrator Themba Mosia terminated his contract.
In March, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) ruled that Molefe's dismissal was procedurally and substantively unfair. It ruled that he be reinstated, but to his original post and not as acting vice-chancellor with reported earnings of R2.4 million a year.
The CCMA said it could not interfere with Mosia's decision to remove Molefe as vice-chancellor as he had acted within his authority.
The matter is still before the Labour Court and De Ruyter said the case had no bearing on Ogude's appointment.
Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande placed TUT under administration last August after Molefe was appointed vice-chancellor.
Mosia is expected to continue as administrator of the university until he has completed the mandate given to him by Nzimande.
Ogude has previously held various academic posts, including deputy vice-chancellor (academic) at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), dean of research at the former Technikon SA, director of academic affairs at the SA Universities' Vice-Chancellors' Association (SAUVCA) and head of the chemistry department at Vista University's Soweto campus.
De Ruyter said all Ogude's qualifications were thoroughly checked and validated before her appointment. - Sapa