Investigations
Tracy-Lynn Ruiters|Published
Two UCT Council members face possible expulsion and suspension following independent investigations into 50 complaints.
The findings, contained in reports by retired Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) Judge Malcolm Wallis and SCA Deputy President Judge Mahomed Navsa, have cleared the majority of those accused of misconduct, with two Council members found to have breached the institution's Code of Conduct.
However, questions have emerged over public access to the reports, which were previously available through the university's official communication but are no longer accessible through the original links.
The reports were adopted during a special Council meeting on Sunday, October 18.
UCT Council chairperson Advocate Norman Arendse SC confirmed that the complaints were lodged between March 15 and October 18, 2025, by Council members and individuals outside the governing body.
Two Council members face recommended sanctions
"The complaints involved allegations of, among other things, offensive behaviour; omissions and non-disclosure of information at meetings; the abuse of a particular social media platform; and statements made at a public event," Arendse said.
The Cape Argus understands that the allegations ranged from verbal confrontations and disrespectful conduct to failures to disclose information, inappropriate use of social media and public statements potentially damaging to the university's reputation.
The judges assessed the allegations against the specific provisions of UCT's Council Code of Conduct.
Arendse explained that Council appointed the judges to independently investigate the complaints, determine whether the Code of Conduct had been breached and recommend sanctions where necessary.
Wallis investigated three complaints involving five Council members, while Navsa examined the remaining 47 complaints.
Judges cleared most members of misconduct
Wallis found that none of the complaints established a contravention of the Code of Conduct and Council members investigated under his mandate were cleared of misconduct.
Navsa's investigation resulted in two members being found to have breached the Code of Conduct, with Navsa recommending serious sanctions against both.
Arendse said the investigations had followed a process allowing complainants and accused Council members to present their versions.
"After investigating the complaints and affording both the complainants and those members of Council against whom complaints had been made the opportunity to make submissions, both judges produced comprehensive written reports."
"Only two members of Council were found to have contravened the Code of Conduct. In the case of the first member, Judge Navsa recommended expulsion from Council. In relation to the second member, he recommended a six-month suspension from Council," Arendse confirmed.
Questions over public access to the reports
The identities of the two members facing sanctions have not been publicly disclosed.
Council indicated a five-member subcommittee has been established to consider the findings and allow the affected members to make further representations before sanctions are determined.
"After adopting the reports, Council appointed a subcommittee of five members to consider the report in relation to these two members and to afford them an opportunity to make representations before a decision is taken on an appropriate sanction, if any," Arendse said.
The developments come as UCT is also facing scrutiny over separate governance disputes involving Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela.
Moshabela previously approached the Western Cape High Court to challenge four Council resolutions arising from an investigation into complaints concerning his conduct.
Council suspended implementation of the disputed resolutions pending the outcome of the court proceedings.
Meanwhile, former UCT staff member Wilna Venter has separately called for an independent investigation into the handling of a complaint allegedly attributed to her, which she maintains she never submitted.