THE University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has moved to clarify the nature of its relationship with Mary de Haas following several media enquiries prompted by her appearance before Parliament’s ad hoc committee on Tuesday.

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De Haas has accused former Police Minister Bheki Cele of repeatedly meddling in police operations. She said the Political Killings’ Task Team had abused its power,  and criticised its interactions with members of the SAPS, and government officials.

In a statement, the University emphasised that De Haas is not an employee and does not hold a professorial position at UKZN.

“For clarity, Ms De Haas is not an employee of the University and is not a professor at UKZN. Her association with the University is strictly honorary and does not involve any teaching or employment responsibilities,” said Executive Director of Corporate Relations Normah Zondo.

She retired from the former University of Natal in 2002, where she had served as a Senior Lecturer and Programme Director in Social Anthropology.

The University of Natal subsequently merged with the University of Durban-Westville in 2004 to form UKZN.

UKZN explained that De Haas’ present link to the institution is limited to the title of Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Law — an unpaid honorary role that carries no teaching or employment duties.

The institution further noted that although De Haas has collaborated with members of the Navi Pillay Research Group, she also undertakes independent research “entirely separate from the University,” including her work on violent crime and policing.

UKZN stressed that it will not comment on matters raised before Parliament.

Zondo added that the institution would not be drawn into discussing testimony presented to the ad hoc committee.

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