Phakeng steps down as Cape Town v-c amid governance investigation

University of Cape Town vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng is to step down amid an investigation into governance at the institution.

The departure of Professor Phakeng, who has led UCT since 2018, is yet to be officially confirmed but has been widely reported by South African media and confirmed by Times Higher Education.

News24 reported that the announcement of Professor Phakeng’s departure was being delayed by wrangling over the content of a statement expected to be released by UCT’s council.

Her last day as vice-chancellor is expected to be 3 March. She will retain an associate professorship in UCT’s education department until February 2024, but will spend the year on sabbatical.

South African media reported that Professor Phakeng would receive a payment of 12.6 million rand (£569,000) on her departure, including an “early retirement lump sum” of 8.4 million rand.

Professor Phakeng’s departure comes amid reports that she was facing suspension by UCT’s council if she did not step down.

She had been at the centre of a governance investigation around the departure of former deputy vice-chancellor Lis Lange and what council chair Babalwa Ngonyama had told the university senate about the contract.

That probe is yet to conclude but local media reported that the university council had moved against Professor Phakeng following the receipt of additional complaints.

The departure also follows protests by UCT students over the non-registration of learners with outstanding fees, which forced a delay to the start of the academic year. UCT has secured a court order prohibiting any further disruption by the Students’ Representative Council.

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com