HETN CONDEMNS SUSPENSION OF CHUMANI MAXWELE
20 May 2015
The Higher Education Transformation Network (HETN), hereby takes note of the University of Cape Town’s response of the 18th May 2015 on the above-mentioned. Contrary to the half-baked excuses given by the UCT management on their underlying reasons for the suspension of student, Mr Chumani Maxwele, UCT management attempt to move the goalposts by alleging that our 15th May 2015 letter of demand served on the UCT lacks substance.
Let the erudite Dr Max Price and his arrogant management team be best advised to heed our 7 days notice to rescind Maxwele’s suspension failing which we will further mobilise UCT staff and students to protest against this anomaly and vigorously pursue all other remedies to address the matter (irrespective of the unfolding internal appeals process). The academic future of Mr Chumani Maxwele is not up for bargain or speculation.
We reiterate our factual assertions that UCT Vice-Chancellor, Dr Max Price has failed to observe the Constitutional rights to equality, dignity, free speech, right to education, due process and fair administrative process of Mr Maxwele.
Dr Price and his management team, in typical kangaroo court-type modus operandi fail to see nor acknowledge their hypocrisy and double standards at their unilateral sabotage of an underprivileged’s student’s academic future and subjugation of the victim to the torture of public condemnation without adequate notice or an opportunity to be heard in terms of the audi alteram partem rule.
We again unreservedly condemn Dr Price and his management hypocrites for their role on the matter as Mr Maxwele is clearly being victimised for the UCT’s public embarrassment emanating from the Rhodes statue debacle.
In addition to our looming litigation on the new admissions policy, our 7 days’ notice period persists failing which we will exercise all relevant legal options in defence of Mr Maxwele. We will not agree to sip tea with nonchalant hypocrites and will continue to expose and battle racism in higher education where such racism exists.
Statement issued by Mr Lucky Thekisho Chairperson of the HETN Board, May 20 2015
