Wits University groups have rejected the tribunal set up to investigate the allegations against Makgoba, reports Philippa
THE stage is set for further conflict at Wits University around the inquiry into deputy vice- chancellor Malegapuru Makgoba.
The Wits Transformation Front (WTF) and Academic Staff Association have rejected the manner in which the tribunal — which will next month investigate Makgoba’s alleged mismanagement, misrepresentation of his curriculum vitae and criticism of the university — was set up and the limitation of its
The executive committee of the University Council last month appointed three leading academics to constitute an independent tribunal to hear the allegations. Former vice-chancellor of Zimbabwe University Walter Kamba and two British academics — former vice-chancellor of the University of London and renowned nuclear physicist Lord Flowers, and vice-chancellor of the University of Nottingham Colin Campbell — have agreed to serve on the
Wits’ Academic Staff Association was expected to meet with vice-chancellor Robert Charlton yesterday to protest the manner in which the tribunal was constituted and request a commission of inquiry into the inquiry conducted by the group of senior academics who compiled the dossier of allegations against Makgoba.
Academic Staff Association president Russell Ally commented: “The way in which the executive council established this tribunal was most unfortunate. There was no consultation with any of the stakeholders and neither Makgoba nor his lawyers were consulted on whether they find these people acceptable.
“Furthermore, it appears that the selection of these people is totally unacceptable. With the exception of Kamba, it seems their experience is in a European context, not an African one. Many of the controversial issues surrounding Makgoba are on his views on Africanising the university. How qualified are these people to make judgements on the issue?”
Another academic said that if the administration continued to pursue the process in a way unacceptable to many of Makgoba’s supporters, “the tribunal is dead before it starts”.
The WTF issued a statement this week criticising the vice-chancellor’s apparent dismissal of education minister Sibusiso Bengu’s request that all stakeholders be involved in the process of setting up an inquiry.
“The WTF is not opposed to the names proposed by the university merely because they are foreign, but rather because the university administration is acting unilaterally and is attempting to impose its will on us in a dictatorial manner.”
Referring to the group of deans and other senior academics who signed the dossier as the “Magnificent 13”, the WTF said it was assessing their CV’s “to ascertain whether the 14 academics (including deputy vice-chancellor June Sinclair) and managers are qualified for the positions they occupy and have appropriate scholarship and administrative records.”
The WTF said the research and publication records of many of these academics showed they had been made professors prematurely.
Director of communications David Williams said that the university could not comment on the WTF’s accusations about the research and publication records of unnamed academics.
Parallels are being drawn between this tribunal and the commission of inquiry held earlier this year on allegations around the employment of Sinclair’s husband’s law firm for legal proceedings involving Wits students. In the latter inquiry, various stakeholders, including student and worker groups, negotiated the appointment of the commissioners, who cleared Sinclair of any misconduct in the inquiry.
Some are charging that similar procedures should have been adopted in the Makgoba case.
Communications director David Williams said it was wrong to draw parallels between the two inquiries. “In the case of Sinclair, there was no evidence that required that an inquiry take place. She insisted that an inquiry be set up and it is not true to say that she had a say on who served on
Williams added that there was no reason why Makgoba should have been consulted on the tribunal members, “because he is being judged”.