The National University of Science and Technology (Nust) has said its vice-chancellor Lindela Ndlovu had developed a hypoglycaemic attack during the funeral service for the late renowned academic, Lawton Hikwa.
Own Correspondent
This followed reports that Ndlovu was drunk at Hikwa’s funeral service.
But Nust spokesperson Felix Moyo yesterday said Ndlovu was unwell and deserved sympathy and not ridicule.
“This is caused by very low sugar levels in the body,” Moyo said.
“Ndlovu is diabetic. When one is under the attack, one feels very hot because one’s body temperature also shoots up. As you know, high body temperatures may lead to hallucinations.”
He said Ndlovu had not taken any alcoholic drinks for the past three weeks because of this condition, while doctors had put him under a strict vegetarian diet.
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“The doctor put him on a strict vegetarian diet and banned him from taking alcohol,” Moyo said.
“He has followed that regime as ordered by the doctor.”
The Nust spokesman said he was with the vice-chancellor in the afternoon before going to the service and he was not drinking.
“He was not drunk and he was not drinking,” he said.
“He was perfectly sober and was his normal intelligent self. He remained normal throughout the requiem mass and all the other proceedings.
“His slot on the programme was well after 6pm, more than five hours after he had been with us, and, therefore, more than five hours without any food. The attack was sudden and he showed unusual agitation when he stood up to speak.”
“Such complex medical conditions can befall anyone at any time,” he said.
Moyo said by yesterday afternoon, Ndlovu had been to Mater Dei Hospital and they were indications that he could have been admitted.
Mourners at Hikwa’s funeral suspected Ndlovu might have been drunk when he took to the podium at the service, leading to some officials dragging him out of the service.
