Le Roux stands alone

THE Executive Committee of the Council of Stellenbosch University (SU) distanced itself from recent antitransformational statements by a council member, Mr Piet Le Roux. These statements were made with regards to universities in South Africa and the minister of Higher Education and Training.

At a meeting held on Monday morning, the committee unanimously passed a motion on the matter affirming that “council is resolute in its support of the Institutional Intent and Strategy document (approved in April 2013) that was formulated under the late Professor Russel Botman’s leadership as well as the Institutional Plan that was adopted by council in December 2014”; and that the documents “demonstrate the commitment of council and management to the university’s transformational journey”.

The Executive Committee of Council, “while acknowledging Mr Le Roux’s constitutional right to have his own opinion”, states that “council distances itself completely from his statements as these are contrary to the council’s official position”.

The committee also stated that council approves the university management’s handling of the transformation process and reconfirms its full support of and confidence in management.

It also advises council to “investigate the implications and possible sanctions resulting from Mr Le Roux’s pronouncements in the light of the Code of Conduct for members of Council”. Executive Committee of the Council