Prof. Mokgwathi’s UB exit certainly imminent

The Deputy Vice Chancellor Student Affairs at the University of Botswana Professor Martin Mokgwathi has been suspended from work. At press time, it was not immediately clear if the suspension was for his recently reported allegations of plagiarism and academic dishonesty, or for incompetence as the arm of the university that he leads is said to be inefficient. Efforts to confirm reasons for the Tuesday morning suspension hit a snag as Director of Public Affairs Mhitshane Reetsang’s phone rang unanswered. While there has been recent allegations of plagiarism that took place last year during the orientation for the University freshmen, information gathered by this publication is that Vice Chancellor Norris could be the one who actually pulled the suspension trigger for incompetence, instead of the University Council that is also reported to have been having an issue with the UB administrator. And now sources close to the matter say Mokgwathi could soon be shown the University’s exit door. The decorated Professor is currently on a free fall and it seems like there will be nothing to catch him. Addressing students this week, Vice Chancellor Professor Norris promised to do away with any officer deemed incompetent. UB is expected to release a statement soon. “We have had some cases before, most perpetrators have been shown the door. Plagiarism is an academic crime so we take it very seriously at the University. We have had cases here. Some people have been suspended others have been fired over the years, but recently they have all been fired.“Recently two other individuals were accused of plagiarism and the investigations proved that they haven’t plagiarised, the process that was followed was more of victimisation than anything else but with this issue it’s a lot more different,” the source whispered. Mokgwathi’s number also rang unanswered, but last week in an interview with The Midweek Sun he could only say the plagiarism matter was internal, before referring this reporter to the Public Affairs Director. Mokgwathi was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor Student Affairs in January 2016. He succeeded Professor Lydia Saleshando who left at the end of 2015 when her contract expired. Mokgwathi has been with the University since 1986 and boasts a wealth of experience. He is also celebrated for crafting and establishing the Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation in 1998 for which he became Director until 2000 when he left to become Head of Department of Physical Education.