NMMU prof Notshulwana suspended pending CV verification

NELSON Mandela Metropolitan University's former dean of arts, Professor Velile Notshulwana, 54, has been suspended. He was placed on precautionary suspension with pay on Friday, pending the outcome of the university's investigation into his qualifications, which started four months ago.

His suspension came just a day after The Herald's exposé about alleged false claims on his CV and revelations that his qualifications and work experience were being investigated by the institution.

Notshulwana, who is now head of the university's family studies unit, has to prove the authenticity of his doctoral degree from Southern California University; that he worked on journals he claimed to have co- authored, and whether he had supervised PhD students as stated in his CV seen by The Herald.

Activities at the three-month-old family studies unit – which he championed and then was given the job as head of the unit despite red flags on his CV – have been put on hold.

NMMU deputy vice-chancellor (academic) Professor Piet Naude, who has been speaking on the university's behalf in the matter, yesterday confirmed Notshulwana's suspension.

Naude said the university would be able to confirm the status of Notshulwana's PhD "quite soon", after he gave his consent last week for verification to be done.

"The process of internal inquiry continues until all matters pertaining to authorship of publications and supervision of students have been verified," he said.

Notshulwana could not be reached for comment yesterday. - Zandile Mbabela and Michael Kimberley