prof. William de Villiers. (Photo: US)
A member of the convocation of the Stellenbosch University (SU) has written to its president asking that an extraordinary meeting be convened regarding the last few weeks of uproar over prof. Wim de Villiers, vice-chancellor and rector, is furious.
Dr. Louise van Rhyn demands that an extraordinary meeting be convened before a motion of no confidence can be submitted in the executive committee of the convocation regarding the decision to remove the rector’s resignation demand and accept a motion of no confidence against him.
De Villiers has recently been of nepotism accuse after two of his family members were admitted to study medicine, although they apparently did not qualify for it on the basis of merit.
Shortly after the allegations came to light, members of the executive committee of the convocation demanded De Villiers’ resignation, apparently because he could not deny his involvement in the case. The body has also meanwhile accepted a motion of no confidence in the rector regarding the allegations.
Adv. Jan Heunis, president of the convocation, said in response to Van Rhyn’s letter that he was convinced that the executive committee acted “in the best interests of the university” when they demanded De Villiers’ resignation.
Heunis argues that he will nevertheless convene an extraordinary meeting as soon as the committee what appointed is to investigate the allegations of nepotism, release its findings at the end of the month.
“It is completely fair that the meeting is held, with the benefit of the committee’s report,” says Heunis.
“The extraordinary meeting can take place very soon after and still within a reasonable period of time.”
According to SU’s mandate on the convocation, its president must convene an extraordinary meeting after receiving a written request signed by 100 or more members.
Van Rhyn says in her letter “this provision does not give you [Heunis] as president any discretion to postpone the request until a future and unrelated event [soos die komitee se verslag] has not been concluded”.
According to Heunis, the committee’s investigation and findings into the allegations of nepotism are not an “unrelated event” in the request for an extraordinary meeting.
“On the contrary, the investigation ordered by the council deals specifically with the matter that gave rise to the request for the extraordinary meeting of the convocation,” he says.
“It would therefore be inappropriate to hold a debate on this case before the investigation is completed and the findings are available.”
However, Van Rhyn says that Heunis must decide by Wednesday whether an extraordinary meeting will be convened.
“Should the above requirements not be met, we retain [as lede van die konvokasie] the right to take such further action as is necessary to enforce our rights.”
Heunis plans to give the relevant members feedback on the matter as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the allegations against De Villiers will apparently only begin later this month.
“The committee only starts in the middle of the month, although the resolution that sent the convocation demands that the investigation must be completed at the end of the month,” says Heunis.
The committee consists of retired judge Carole Lewis, Helena Conradie and Ziyanda Stuurman. Lewis will serve as the chairman of the committee.
