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Varsity bosses face sex probe
28/11/2006 21:58 - (SA)
Durban - The vice-chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the chairman of council have stepped aside from their positions pending investigations into claims of sexual harassment and victimisation.
Vice-chancellor Professor Malegapuru Makgoba has taken a leave of absence, and council chairperson Dr Vincent Maphai has stood down, said the university council's vice-chairperson Mac Mia on Tuesday.
Speaking at the university's Westville campus, he said the university council had decided to appoint a tribunal to investigate allegations of "sexual harassment, gender discrimination and victimisation".
They were made by Professor Pumela Msweli-Mbanga, the dean and acting deputy vice-chancellor of the college of law and management.
Retired judge might head tribunal
Mia said both men had offered of their own accord to step aside.
"It was their decision and I think it is right," he said.
Who would head the tribunal was not clear, but a statement issued by the council said KwaZulu-Natal Judge-President Vuka Tshabalala would be approached to appoint a retired judge.
Mia also said that a decision announced on Monday to nullify the awarding of a Master of Commerce degree to UKZN's chief financial officer, Professor Kanthan Pillay, had been nullified.
Makgoba had said on Monday that instructions had been given to university registrar Dr Edith Mneney to "initiate immediately a due and fair process to nullify the MCom degree".
Makgoba said he had issued instructions "that all those implicated in the awarding of the degree" face disciplinary procedures.
He quoted a senate sub-committee recommendation that "Professor Pillay's dissertation, his registration as a student, and the examination and award of his MCom degree was fatally flawed. It was entirely irregular from beginning to end".
A transparent institution
Mia said on Tuesday the tribunal would investigate whether or not the awarding of Pillay's degree was irregular.
Mia said neither Maphai nor Makgoba would be on campus during the investigation.
Asked if the findings of the tribunal would be publicised, he said: "We are operating on the basis of a transparent institution."
- SAPA
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