Tracy-Lynn Ruiters|Published
Former UCT employee Wilna Venter has called for Council chairperson Norman Arendse to recuse himself from decisions concerning a formal complaint she lodged against him, as Arendse announced he would step aside from a separate Council discussion involving Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela.
Venter is demanding an independent investigation into Arendse's conduct and Council's handling of her concerns after a complaint against Moshabela was allegedly attributed to her, despite her maintaining that she never submitted it.
Venter calls for Arendse’s recusal
According to sources, Venter submitted correspondence on October 8 to the UCT Registrar and Council members under the institution's Council Code of Conduct.
She requested that Arendse withdraw from all discussions and decisions relating to her complaint, with the deputy chairperson overseeing the process.
Venter also wants an investigator independent of Council and the university appointed to establish how her name became associated with the original allegations.
Her latest complaint follows correspondence submitted in September, seeking a copy of the complaint allegedly made in her name and an investigation into how her identity became linked to it.
Although the Registrar reportedly confirmed that her correspondence would be forwarded to Council, Venter maintains that she has received neither a substantive response nor the complaint itself.
A source said Venter wants clarity on what information was available to Council, where it originated and whether the handling of her concerns complied with the university's Code of Conduct.
She has requested written confirmation of the proposed investigation process within two weeks.
Arendse steps aside from Moshabela matter
Meanwhile, Arendse has welcomed an independent arbitration determination dated October 16, which found that he had no conflict of interest requiring his recusal from Council matters involving Moshabela's High Court review application.
Court documents seen by the Cape Argus show that Council adopted an expedited dispute-resolution mechanism on October 8, with an arbitrator appointed on October 13.
Moshabela objected to the process, raising concerns about its fairness, independence and the fact that it was initiated without his consent.
Correspondence describes the proceedings as "arbitration by ambush", arguing that Council imposed a binding process without his agreement, selected the documentation presented to the arbitrator and imposed exceptionally tight deadlines.
Moshabela declined to participate, maintaining that he would not surrender to a process he considered procedurally unfair.
UCT has not responded to latest complaint
Council maintained that his consent was not required.
The arbitrator concluded that Arendse had no personal interest in the review proceedings, was cited only in his official capacity and that there was no evidence he would be biased against Moshabela.
Despite the favourable ruling, Arendse has now voluntarily agreed to step aside from the item concerning the review application at an upcoming Special Council meeting.
The Deputy Chairperson will preside over the discussion.
Arendse said his decision was intended to allow Council to consider the litigation without further delays or questions about his participation.
"I am grateful to Adv Bawa SC for her determination, which confirms that I have no conflict of interest in this matter. Nevertheless, the interests of the university must come first. I have therefore chosen to step aside from this item so that Council can attend to the litigation without distraction, and so that the matter can proceed to finality before the court."
His decision does not address Venter's separate demand that he recuse himself from decisions concerning her complaint.
In an earlier response to the Cape Argus, UCT said the legal matter involving Moshabela and Council remained before the courts and that it would be inappropriate to comment on its merits.
UCT referred to statements issued on August 10 and 16.
The university has not specifically addressed whether Venter's complaint will be independently investigated or whether Arendse will recuse himself from its consideration.
The review application remains before the High Court.