By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@UCT.
Members of the National Assembly’s portfolio committee on higher education, science and innovation have called on the department to appoint an independent external assessor to review the report on governance issues at the University of Cape Town.
They said it was biased and not factual on some of the issues. Members of the committee also said the report did not give former vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng and former council chairperson Babalwa Ngonyama an opportunity to respond to the allegations made against them.
The report made damning findings against Phakeng and Ngonyama.
Phakeng said earlier on social media she was studying the report with her legal team.
Ngonyama is taking the report under review.
The Parliament’s committee met on Wednesday with UCT council and management over the report.
Some committee members said Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande should consider appointing an independent assessor to look into the report after the SRC, two unions and some of the MPs raised concerns about the report’s independence and recommendations.
Committee Chair Nompendulo Mkhatshwa attempted to clarify things when addressing the UCT Council chair, Norman Arendse:
“Chair, we’re not saying we must interrogate the work that the panel did; we’re actually saying there must be a whole new process that is led by an independent assessor. We are not calling for administration either — I’m not saying this institution must be run by someone on your behalf, that’s not what we are saying.
“We are saying we are fine with that, but there are these issues that need to be nipped in the bud, and the only way we can do it is if we understand their root cause and find a way to pave the best way forward. That’s what we mean when we call for an independent assessor.”
The independent panel was chaired by retired judge Lex Mpati with retired Judge Azhar Cachalia, public sector governance expert Trish Hanekom and Wits transformation head Bernadette Johnson.
The panel made scathing findings about the divisive leadership of Phakeng. It paints a picture of a narcissistic and thin-skinned leader who exploited and encouraged racial divisions — talking up a narrative of racial empowerment in public while saving some of her worst abuse for black women in private.
Arendse said the Council would meet on Saturday to further discuss the report.
In a statement released after the meeting, Arendse said: “The University of Cape Town (UCT) Council reiterates that it has adopted the findings and recommendations of the independent panel of investigation on governance matters at UCT during the period 2018-2022, following careful consideration. Council has agreed that the report and its findings are substantively fair, rationally related to its purpose and provide credible evidence.
“We acknowledge the right of stakeholders to call for the appointment of an independent assessor to test the veracity of the report. We do not believe this process should stall or hinder UCT using the report as a roadmap to guide it towards a future marked by accountability and transparency, and a renewed commitment to strengthen the governance of the university. The UCT Council stands by the findings of the independent panel of investigation and will be implementing its recommendations.”
Department of Higher Education and Training Deputy Director-General Dr Marcia Socikwa said she would submit the request for an independent assessor to Nzimande.