University Of Cape Town VC Suspended

Cape Town, South Africa – The University of Cape Town’s council has chosen to suspend vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng due to an ongoing investigation into UCT governance and additional complaints against her.

Phakeng will be suspended while awaiting disciplinary action. The decision was made after the council consulted with two leading experts on labour law, who confirmed that the university had a prima facie case of misconduct against Phakeng.

Daily Maverick reports that negotiations for Phakeng to step down quietly with a pay-out fell apart when she withdrew from talks. Phakeng’s suspension marks the culmination of several months of escalating tensions that began with an explosive meeting of the UCT Senate in late September 2022 and were further exacerbated by a Daily Maverick report on the campus governance crisis.