Stellenbosch University council to probe ‘grave’ nepotism claims against embattled VC

The Stellenbosch University (SU) council resolved to appoint a committee to tackle nepotism allegations against Vice-Chancellor Wim De Villiers, whose academic future hangs in the balance after the convocation called for his head.

The convocation executive council’s motion to fire De Villiers was tabled at Monday’s council meeting.

Council member Dr Nicky Newton-King was elected to lead the council on Monday replacing Ainsly Moos, who died three months ago.

Newton-King, a former CEO of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), said the nepotism allegations were of “grave concern.”

“Council agreed that the matter should first be referred to a Council committee of three persons, of which one will be an independent legal professional.

“Once Council has the committee’s report, it will evaluate it and consider the motion brought by Dr Schreiber.

“Council recognises the importance of addressing this issue as a matter of urgency and is committed to doing so in a manner that is fair to both the University and the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, and in which the institution’s stakeholders can have confidence,” Newton-King said in a statement sent to university stakeholders.

‘Compelling evidence’

De Villiers’ woes surfaced after his wife’s nephew was admitted to study medicine at the institution. It emerged later that a matriculant who had achieved better results was rejected for the same course.

When the matriculant started inquiring why the application was rejected, De Villiers said he used the Rector’s Discretionary Placements policy to get the nephew admitted.

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It has since emerged that De Villiers also quietly placed another relative for admission, dragging SU registrar Dr Ronel Retief into the fray.

The nephew has since been deregistered after the nepotism scandal broke, according to convocation president Advocate Jan Heunis.

He said the 230-member convocation is in favour of the impeachment as there is “compelling evidence that the De Villiers is guilty of nepotism.”

“There are some who, in an ill-advised attempt to protect the Rector, claim that the convocation’s decision disregards SU’s policies and procedures.

“I not only dispute this but I am convinced that the vast majority of its members support the insistence that the Rector’s conduct was reprehensible and that he should be removed,” he said in a reply to questions.

Petition to keep De Villiers

Meanwhile, an online petition was launched over the weekend to challenge the convocation’s “one-sided decision.” More than 1 300 people had signed it by late Monday.

“The unlawful and unilateral request is not the decision of SU convocation, it does not represent the opinion of the majority of the student body, staff or alumni and is not in SU’s best interest.

“If you agree that the executive of the convocation did not act in good faith, and if you also want to distance yourself from the damaging decision made on Friday 14 April, please sign the petition,” read the footnote accompanying the petition on change.org.

Furthermore, prominent SU academics such as law professor Thuli Madonsela and education professor Jonathan Jansen have also come out in support of De Villiers.

Several convocation members also took to social media to complain that they were never consulted about the no-confidence motion.

SU scandals

The institution was in recent times embroiled in racism scandals and Afrikaans language usage saga on campus.

White students were caught urinating on black students’ study material on separate occasions.

Last year, Theuns du Toit was expelled after he was filmed urinating on fellow student Babalo Ndwayana’s study material in May that year.

The language storm saw the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) stepping in to investigate the banning of Afrikaans in residences during the annual welcoming period in 2021.

The university has until 13 May to implement the SAHRC recommendations that largely directed management to ensure “reasonable practicability,” where everyone is included and “able to participate.”

According to Newton-King, SU sought legal advice on some aspects of the SAHRC report.

The Western Cape institution has five statutory bodies – the council, senate, Institutional Forum, Student Representative Council (SRC) and convocation – all of which ensure good governance and effective decision-making at the institution.

The council is the highest decision-making body.

The convocation is made up of SU graduates, including current postgraduate students, and all full-time and retired academic staff of the university.

It is a link between SU and its alumni.

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