Higher education keeping eye on UCT probe
‘Serious’ claims of misconduct
The department of higher education is keeping a close watch on developments around governance issues at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
Nkosinathi Sishi, directorgeneral of the higher education department, presenting a report to parliament’s higher education portfolio committee yesterday, said: “UCT is one of the top universities in the land, and is an asset to our nation. We want to see matters are seen to [conclusion] speedily.”
He was briefing parliament on what they are doing about allegations of misconduct against UCT vice-chancellor Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng and chair of the UCT council Babalwa Ngonyama, who are the subjects of an investigation
by a panel of three retired judges. Its primary task is to investigate whether Phakeng and Ngonyama misled faculty boards, the senate and/or the council concerning former deputy vice-chancellor Prof Lis Lange’s availability for a second term, the reasons she did not pursue it and allegations she was forced to resign amid registering her ambition to succeed Phakeng.
Sishi said the department remained concerned about the “serious” allegations against Phakeng and Ngonyama. “The council has been able to agree on the appointment of a panel to look into the challenges leading up to the governance crisis. It is anticipated the panel, which includes the three judges and two other members, will start its work soon.
“The minister [Blade Nzimande] has requested a formal report from the council, and this is expected soon. The minister understands the report
should be agreed to by the full council of the university.”
ANC MP Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, the committee chairperson, said they accepted the department’s approach and would await the panel’s final report. “The minister has written to the chairperson of the UCT council and has re quested they report on the state of affairs. Upon receiving the report, he will report back to the committee, and we will be brought into confidence.
“As the best performing university in the country, we are very concerned when we find ourselves facing unstable governance in our institutions.”
She said while the committee was willing to allow for due processes to unfold, firm time frames need to be adhered to.
“We want to avoid a situation where the accountability ecosystem is stifled because people are sitting on reports. When the investigations are concluded, the report must be made available.”
Mkhatshwa also said: “We…are failing to stabilise governance and management in our institutions. Every day, every month, a council is dissolved, an independent assessor or an administrator is appointed. This is expenditure of money, time and resources we do not have, especially amid the unemployment and funding-related challenges…”
She lambasted institutions which “display arrogance” and frustrate MPs executing oversight. “We have councils …who don’t want to account to MPs but don’t have their houses in order.”