Nzimande must provide answers for UWC dispute

23 June 2014

The DA will submit parliamentary questions to the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande, concerning his appointment of five convocation members at the University of the Western Cape which were involved in the sudden and unlawful removal of Council Chair, Brian Williams, earlier this year (see Cape Times report). 

We call on Minister Nzimande to verify whether or not he interfered in the management of the higher education institution through the appointment of, or exertion of undue influence upon, the five officials.

The judgment which ruled in favour of Brian Williams at the Western Cape High Court stated that the grounds for his removal were not legally sound. 

University officials have subsequently claimed that the reasoning behind the removal of Williams by the Minister's appointees was inherently flawed. 

The DA will probe the appointments made by Nzimande and investigate whether the constitutionally protected principle of academic freedom, as well as those of clean governance and public accountability, have been compromised in this regard.

It is essential that our higher education institutions become centres of excellence, which produce the best possible graduates. This cannot be done when politicians play games with very serious processes.

We look forward to Minister Nzimande's urgent explanation so that the current dispute can be brought to an end.

Statement issued by Prof Belinda Bozzoli MP, DA Shadow Minister of Higher Education and Training, June 23 2014

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