UCT responds to HETN on suspended student

18 May 2015

The Higher Education Transformation Network (HETN) did not check the facts of the hearing into the suspension of a student at the University of Cape Town. Many of the points it makes against UCT (“UCT: Chumani Maxwele's rights violated – HETN”) are therefore completely without substance. The HETN has been invited many times to engage directly with UCT regarding its arguments with the university, but it has yet to accept this invitation.

UCT policy is to treat all disciplinary matters as confidential, but it can be confirmed that the student concerned has the right to an appeal against the suspension and he has exercised that right.

The student chose to reveal the case to the media. HETN has also revealed the student’s name in a public forum, although this was not necessary. The student and HETN both claim that the student has been charged because of his involvement in protest actions in the last weeks. This is regrettable and inaccurate. The suspension follows an unrelated, isolated incident and this occurrence is unrelated to any protest action on campus.

UCT respects the right of all students and staff members to align with any organisation represented on campus. 

Statement issued by Patricia Lucas, UCT Communication and Marketing Department, May 18 2015