THOHOYANDOU – The Council of the University of Venda has accepted a request from the Vice Chancellor, Prof Gessler Nkondo, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Marcus Ramogale, to go on voluntary sabbatical leave for 12 months, with immediate effect.

According to a statement by Mr Rufus Kharidzha, Director Public Relations and Development, council accepted the request “after it had noted that there was deep and widespread polarisation of the university community as a result of perennial and irreconcilable differences between Nkondo and Ramogale.”

Kharidzha added that the step was taken in the interest of both men and the university.

According to a statement by the Chairperson of the Council, Justice Yvonne Mokgoro, the Acting Registrar, Mr KC Nemadzivhanani, will serve in the place of the Acting Vice-Chancellor. Council will soon appoint an Acting Vice-Chancellor “to take charge of the affairs of the university, to bring normality and to unite the university community,” Kharidzha said.