The Council of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) has welcomed the Labour Court’s judgement to dismiss the application by VUT’s vice-chancellor Professor Dan Kgwadi to challenge its decision to place him on special leave.

Professor Kgwadi was reportedly placed on special leave after he took 14 days’ sick leave in January.

VUT spokesperson Tandi Mapukata confirmed the judgment.

In a statement Mapukata said the judge dismissed the matter as it lacked urgency and raised some jurisdictional issues with Kgwadi’s Council.

“In particular, VUT notes the judge’s dissatisfaction with Prof Kgwadi’s decision to persist with the court case even after he was invited by the university in writing to withdraw the matter for the same reasons on which the court dismissed the application.”

Intrinsic to the dismissal of his application, Prof Kgwadi was ordered to pay the university’s legal cost on an attorney and client scale.

“Council remain convinced that its decision to place Kgwadi on special leave, taken during a special meeting on 17th February, was correct and in the best interest of VUT.”