Former president of the Supreme Court of Appeal, Justice Lex Mpati led the probe in UCT’s governance crisis.
- UCT’s council said it had received the report from the independent panel investigating the governance crisis at the university.
- Chairman Norman Arendse said the report would remain confidential.
- Supreme Court of Appeal president Judge Lex Mpati led the probe.
The University of Cape Town’s council on Sunday confirmed that it had received the report from the independent panel investigating the governance crisis at the institution.
Chairman advocate Norman Arendse, SC, said the report was issued and considered by the council at its meeting on Saturday.
Arendse said the council resolved that the report would remain confidential until the content and recommendations have been fully considered.
“It is recognised that many of the university’s stakeholders expect to be more fully informed, and council, therefore, undertakes to take the necessary steps to provide further details as soon as it is appropriate to do so.
He added:
The content of the report and the recommendations contained therein are now under consideration by council and will be discussed at a further meeting that will be scheduled shortly
Former vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng and former council chair Babalwa Ngonyama found themselves at the centre of an independent judicial investigation into the governance crisis at the university.
READ | EXCLUSIVE | Embattled vice-chancellor Phakeng leaves UCT with R12m golden handshake
A panel was constituted last year following allegations that Ngonyama had supplied false reasons to the UCT senate for the early departure of Professor Lis Lange, who was the deputy vice-chancellor for learning and teaching.
According to Ngonyama, Lange chose to leave of her own accord for personal reasons, News24 previously reported.
Lange, however, denied this, saying Ngonyama had effectively pushed her out and told her that Phakeng didn’t want her to continue as her second in command.
“Council extends its appreciation to the panel for the detailed and important work that it has done and is confident that the report is a crucial step in assisting council to strengthen the governance of the university,” Arendse said.