The University of Cape Town Council has decided to suspend Vice-Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng because of a number of complaints against her and an ongoing investigation into how the university is run.
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As reported by Daily Maverick, the UCT Council has chosen to suspend UCT Vice-Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng pending disciplinary action.
This follows the formation of an independent panel, led by retired Supreme Court of Appeal President Judge Lex Mpati, to investigate allegations of mismanagement and abuse of power levelled against Phakeng.
The UCT Council made the decision after consulting with two of South Africa’s leading labour law experts, who confirmed that the university would have a prima facie case of misconduct against Phakeng.
The council met last Thursday and decided to remove Phakeng and council chair Babalwa Ngonyama from their positions pending the outcome of the investigation.
Following this consultation, Phakeng was given the option of retiring quietly with a severance package. However, the negotiation fell apart, with Phakeng withdrawing from the talks.
The suspension of Phakeng comes after nearly five months of escalating conflict.
According to News24, the centre of the investigation is Phakeng and Ngonyam’s withholding of the true reasons for former deputy vice chancellor Lis Lange’s departure.
Last year, Daily Maverick conducted a six-month investigation that showed there was a culture of secrecy and intimidation at the university, led by VC Phakeng and UCT Council Chair Babalwa Ngonyama, who have since fallen out.
According to the publication, the decision to suspend Phakeng was made nearly unanimously by the UCT Council, with only a few members abstaining or voting against it.
Read the full report by Daily Maverick here.
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Picture: University of Cape Town / Facebook