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UCT adopts independent panel investigation
CAPE TOWN - The University of Cape Town has adopted the findings and recommendations of an independent panel investigation on governance matters at the institution.
It was established in October 2022 after numerous issues at UCT.
The report found that the former UCT Council failed to hold ex-Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng to account.
It says Sipho Pityana and Babalwa Ngonyama did not take the necessary steps to terminate her contract despite risks her behaviour posed for UCT.
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According to the panel, Phakeng used threats, intimidation, ethnic slurs, and personal insults along with posting racially offensive material on social media and unfairly suspended Communications Executive Director Gerda Kruger, in breach of the university's policies.
Some of the other main findings were an abuse of power by senior leaders and Ngonyama involving herself in management decisions. This was in violation of UCT's legal and governance framework.
In the highly publicised cases involving Professor Lis Lange and Professor Loretta Feris, the panel says their contracts were unlawfully terminated. In Lange's instance, it was found that Ngonyama violated her right to equality and Lange's right not to be unfairly discriminated against on the grounds of race.
The panel has made several recommendations, including reporting Ngonyama to regulatory authorities, instituting disciplinary proceedings against Pheladi Gwangwa for breaching UCT's Code of Conduct; instituting disciplinary proceedings against Professor Elelwani Ramugondo for posting a racially offensive message regarding Lange on social media, and institute disciplinary proceedings against Dr Lwazi Lushaba for also violating the Code of Conduct.
Further, UCT should issue public apologies to senior executives including Lange, Feris and Kruger and compensate the three of them for full legal expenses.