Prof. Wim de Villiers. (Archive photo)
The rector of Stellenbosch University (SU), prof. Wim de Villiers, the executive committee of SU’s board “drew its attention to the fact that he also used his discretion in terms of the same policy and the guidelines for discretionary placements to place another family member in a program at SU”.
This according to a statement from SU after a storm raged since last week over De Villiers’ placement of a family member to study medicine. The post was already withdrawn months ago after another student who achieved better marks, but did not get admission, asked questions about it.
SU says it follows a clearly defined admissions policy and since 2018 SU has implemented guidelines to guide the rector’s discretionary placements. The approach to discretionary placements is currently being reviewed to address any potential shortcomings, the university says.
“The rector has indicated that although he acted in good faith and in accordance with the current guidelines, he regrets the turmoil that the reported incident caused.”
Dr. Leon Schreiber, a DA MP and member of the SU council, says that De Villiers seems to be at the head of a “full-scale nepotism network” that has hijacked SU to promote his personal family interests.
“We know so far that he violated SU’s nepotism policy to admit at least two of his close relatives to the prestigious medical course at SU, although they apparently did not qualify for it on merit.
“This is a slap in the face to the thousands of more deserving and less privileged students who applied but were rejected. This is apparently because they do not meet the one requirement that guarantees a place at SU: being related to the rector,” says Schreiber.
He says the question should be asked about how many other discretionary postings De Villiers has made over the past eight years.
In response to Schreiber’s criticism, the university said it was “out of context, exaggerated and unhelpful in the debate and search for solutions”.
(Photo: Stellenbosch University/Facebook)
“SU follows world-class management practices for universities. SU’s council is dealing with the issue. The letter from the acting board chairman was shared confidentially with only board members and two board committees in this regard. The council is the appropriate forum for this discussion.
“Furthermore, SU considers it critically essential that the rights and privacy of students must be recognised, respected and protected, and will not comment on the identity of any student.”
In the meantime, the issue of discretionary placements will be discussed at a council meeting next Monday.
“The analysis of the rector’s discretionary placements will take place under the firm guidance of the board of the executive committee (ECB) and will be thoroughly discussed at the board meeting so that the board can agree on a designated path forward,” says the university.
SU also says its students and staff are among the best to be found in and for South Africa.
“The academic integrity of our institution, the quality of our qualifications and research, and the maintenance of practical and proper administrative oversight management are of the utmost importance for SU.
“We welcome the opportunity for careful examination and reflection in order to maintain the high standards for which we are known and to address areas where there is room for possible improvement.”
At the upcoming council meeting, a motion of no confidence in De Villiers will also be before the council. The motion stems from the Human Rights Commission’s (HRC) report on human rights violations at SU, in which it was found, among other things, that the university violated the human rights of students by prohibiting them from speaking Afrikaans.
