Exclusive: UCT’s Mamokgethi Phakeng vows to clear her name amid ‘false and defamatory’ accusations

EDWIN NAIDU

AS STORM clouds gather, embattled University of Cape Town vice-chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng has come out fighting amid claims that she has been suspended.

It has emerged that the University Council had offered her early retirement, with a caveat that it would drop the panel investigating governance claims against her and Chairperson Babalwa Ngonyama.

The vice-chancellor declined the offer, saying she wanted to clarify her name.

Asked about the status of reports that she has been suspended, Phakeng insisted she was an employee of UCT.

“I do not know. Since I am an employee of UCT, I trust that HR will notify me if I am to be suspended, clearly indicate what the charge is and hopefully allow me to indicate why I believe I should not be suspended,” she said.

What do you say to detractors about a crisis when UCT is among the best in five