Staff Reporter
The Central University of Technology (CUT) Council has confirmed the Free State institution’s vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Henk de Jager, has been put on precautionary suspension to allow for investigations into numerous allegations levelled against him.
Without explaining the nature of the allegations, the Council also announced the university’s deputy vice-chancellor for resources and operations, Dr Gary Paul, was placed on similar suspension.
A statement issued by interim chairperson of the Council, Nonie Mokose, also confirmed that Council chairperson Boysie Phehlukwayo and his deputy Dr Garth Van Gensen resigned this week.
“Council has noted various allegations against . . . Prof Henk de Jager and . . . Dr Gary Paul,” read part of the statement issued on Friday.
“Following careful evaluation of these allegations, Council has undertaken to institute a preliminary investigation to determine their merits and demerits and act accordingly,” added the statement.
It said the pair will remain on suspension until a grievance-related inquiry has been completed in line with university policies and procedure.
“Council remains committed to guarantee protection and support of all stakeholders who come forward with their complaints without fear of victimisation by speaking out,” said Mokose in the statement.
Following the suspensions, CUT deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, Professor David Ngidi, and the dean of management sciences, Professor Albert Strydom, have been appointed to act respectively as vice-chancellor and principal and deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning.
Professor Solomon Makola, campus director at CUT’s Welkom campus, has been appointed to act as deputy vice-chancellor for resources and operations until the investigation is completed.
The statement also confirmed that former chairperson Phehlukwayo and his deputy resigned on November 3, following a special council meeting – which suspended De Jager – held the previous day.
It remains unclear why the two resigned but the Council said it accepted their resignations.
The Council promised transparency to all stakeholders throughout the process, adding it will provide further details to the Department of Higher Education and Training once the process has been concluded.
Earlier this week, The Free Stater reported that De Jager had been suspended following growing concerns of a governance crisis at the institution.
The South African Students Congress in the Free State claims the CUT vice-chancellor faces allegations of unscrupulous hiring processes, the victimisation of black staff and black academics, in particular, and also the victimisation of students, among others.
The student body appealed to Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande to urgently investigate the situation at the university as there were fears the developments could result in a total collapse of the institution.