Maseru, Sept. 25 — The National University of Lesotho (NUL) has been plunged back into a fierce governance crisis, proving true the old adage that misfortunes never come singly.
Just nine days after the Court of Appeal ordered the immediate reinstatement of Professor Kananelo Mosito as Acting Vice-Chancellor, the NUL Council aggressively moved to reverse the decision, restoring his suspension on September 23.
The dramatic U-turn exposes a deeply fractured leadership within Lesotho’s premier institution of higher learning.
The institutional tug-of-war escalated sharply when Professor Mosito officially resumed his duties on September 17. Armed with the Court of Appeal’s September 14 order, Professor Mosito wasted no time asserting his authority.
In a swift counter-offensive, he immediately lifted the suspension of the substantive Registrar, Mrs. Liteboho Maqalika-Lerotholi and terminated the acting arrangements that had been installed during his enforced absence.
However, Professor Mosito’s return to power proved short-lived.
In a newly released statement, the NUL Council revealed it has adopted a series of urgent resolutions. The Council stated these measures are strictly aimed at “strengthening governance, safeguarding the interests of the university, promoting institutional stability and ensuring prudent stewardship of institutional resources.”
The university’s Council clarified that further information regarding the exact implementation of the initial Court of Appeal order will be provided as arrangements are finalized. These updates will also address any other matters arising from the institution’s ongoing “efforts to speedily restore stability and good governance.”
Defending its aggressive legal posturing against its own Acting Vice-Chancellor, the Council issued a broad assurance to staff, students, alumni, development partners and the general public. It maintained that all current actions are guided by a paramount need to protect the university’s interests and ensure NUL can continue executing its core mandate of teaching, research and community engagement.
“The Council remains committed to the rule of law, procedural fairness, accountability, financial prudence and the restoration of confidence within the institution,” the statement reads, promising to keep stakeholders updated on court orders and governance restructuring.
The statement noted that the Court of Appeal Order delivered on September 14 “should not be interpreted as an abandonment of the University’s legal position in matters that remain before the courts, nor as an acceptance that all issues in dispute have been finally determined.”
The university executive vowed to continue aggressively defending its rights through the legal system while remaining compliant with lawful mandates.
Meanwhile the initial decision to suspend Professor Mosito was enacted to facilitate independent investigations into serious allegations of malfeasance, maladministration and misgovernance.
With the Council digging in its heels and reversing the highest court’s reinstatement, NUL remains locked in a bitter legal and administrative stalemate with no clear end in sight.
Ends/AT/tl
