Allegations of rifts within high-level structures at the University of Cape Town (UCT) emerged this week, along with those of a leadership crisis and tactics to impede the work of an independent panel investigating the university’s leaders.
There have been allegations that UCT vice-chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng and council chair, Babalwa Ngonyama, misled the council on reasons why the campus’ deputy vice-chancellor, Professor Lis Lange, left the institution in March.
UCT council chairperson Babalwa Ngonyama has heeded calls for an independent investigation into allegations against against Vice-Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng and herself.
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande has entered the fray at the troubled University of Cape Town, requesting a formal report from council about the extraordinary governance fallout between key university structures.