By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Univeristy of Cape Town (UCT) has refused to confirm nor deny the reports that Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng would leave the institution on early retirement with a “golden handshake”.
UCT spokesperson, Elijah Moholola, says they would not respond to reports claiming Phakeng would leave on early retirement.
“We (are) not going to respond to questions before a formal announcement through the statement,” Moholola said.
According to News24, an eleventh-hour termination agreement was reached between Phakeng and the UCT Council which saw Phakeng avoid the suspension the council had previously resolved on, amid the breakdown of negotiations between the parties.
The termination agreement states: “Prof Phakeng will take early retirement and cease to occupy the position of Vice-Chancellor of the university with effect 03 March 2023 and her Associate Professorship [in the UCT Education Department] will terminate with effect from 28 February 2024.”
The period remaining on her academic contract, however, will be taken up by a 12-month sabbatical. As such, Phakeng’s time at UCT will in effect end in less than a fortnight.
Phakeng will receive a 12-month payout of her annual salary of R4,184,616, in addition to an “early retirement lump sum” of R8,369,232.
This amounts to a total payment package of R12,553,848.
Phakeng will also receive reduced UCT tuition for her dependants for life and post-retirement medical aid for life.
In signing the settlement, Phakeng is waiving her right to further litigation of any kind against UCT.
However the UCT Council still needed to ratify the settlement.
Part of the agreement is that Phakeng’s early retirement will be announced via a statement from the university which has to be approved by both parties — and which by definition is bound to be neutral.
Phakeng’s successor will inherit the mantle at a decidedly troubled time, with the campus having already faced its first academic strike last month, still dealing with SRC-led protests over fee-related student exclusion, and trying to plug the gaps from a steady exodus of experienced administrators during Phakeng’s tenure.
Meanwhile the Democratic Alliance (DA) said in a statement, It is very concerning that the UCT council decided on an agreement with Prof Phakeng before the investigation could be concluded.
“Unstable governance, as has been the case at UCT for a number of years now, does not create environments conducive to excellence. The disruptions are detrimental to the students, staff and the university’s reputation.”