LOUIS TRICHARDT – A renowned Professor in Biological Sciences, Prof Ben van der Waal was last week summarily dismissed from his duties as an employee of the University of Venda for Science and Technology.

The dismissal of Prof van der Waal took place with immediate effect. An academic who is recognised internationally suddenly found himself without a job as from the end of February. The incident, which sparked the disciplinary hearing that resulted in this drastic verdict, happened nearly three years ago.

In April 2000, Prof Van der Waal in his capacity as executive member of NTESU, a national union for academics of tertiary institutions, participated in a march with two thousand others to present a petition to the Department of Education in Thohoyandou.

The petition stated that in the light of the findings of the Heath Special Investigation Unit in respect of the improper and irregular use of a credit card by the Principal of the University of Venda, Prof GM Nkondo the undersigned members of the university community, call upon the principal to do the honourable thing and resign forthwith. The petition further stated that if the principal failed to comply, the undersigned demand that council take necessary steps to ensure that the principal vacates his office in accordance with the act and statute of the university. On the petition appeared about 500 signatures. The petition was elicited by a media statement on April 1, 2000 made by the then Chairman of the university Council, Prof Barney Pityana. The petitioners felt that the statement underplayed the seriousness of the alleged misconduct of the principal.

Later that year, Prof Van der Waal was part of a concerned group, which managed an audience with Education Minister, Kader Asmal. The group expressed its concern about the finances, the management style and ways of appointing university personnel to some positions. They were told that grievances of that nature should be taken to the University's Institutional Forum. It was explained to them that by law every university should have an Institutional Forum independent from the Council of the university. The group found that they had no such a forum to turn to.

Prof Van der Waal was tried on four charges, but was found guilty on only one charge. He was charged with participating in an unlawful strike and marching off campus during working hours. His conduct was allegedly prejudicial to the administration, discipline and efficiency of the University. After the march he returned and immediately continued with his duties, said Van der Waal.

Since 1986, Prof Van der Waal had been involved with the Department of Biological Sciences. He was appointed as Professor in 1990. His fields of interest and expertise include Fresh Water Science and Indigenous Fish. He developed a course in Aquatic Biology, which prepares students for a career in the Department of Water Affairs. Up until his dismissal, he taught Fresh Water Field Biology and Limnology to undergraduate students. Even after his dismissal, Prof Van der Waal still avails himself to assist his five Honours students and two Masters degree students.

Prof Van der Waal has the right to appeal to Council against his conviction and sentence. He plans to exercise that right and will also consider different options of action that he could take. He would prefer to present his case on the public forum, because he believes in a transparent and just society.