UCT accused of dishonesty over professor’s fire allegations and drug scandal

Former employee Professor Ndangwa Noyoo accuses the University of Cape Town of dishonesty and covering up for Associate Professor Leon Holtzhausen, which is linked to the burning of the institution’s office.

UCT’S DISHONEST RESPONSE TO DRUG AND FIRE ALLEGATIONS

Last week, UCT spokesperson Elijah Moholola told the Sunday Independent that the university conducted two investigations at the scene, finding no conclusive evidence.

Consequently, the institution recommended no action against Holtzhausen.

According to IOL, Noyoo, the former head of the University’s Department of Social Development, denounced this as a falsehood and a shield for Holtzhausen.

The incident occurred in 2018, with allegations suggesting that Holtzhausen, purportedly a drug user, initiated the fire to hide evidence that could implicate him.

Noyoo stated that while the initial inquiry, led by Campus Protection Services (CPS) and overseen by investigator Warren Pekeur, pointed to Holtzhausen’s involvement, the subsequent investigation appeared to shield him from accountability.

Moholola reiterated UCT’s stance that internal and external investigations yielded inconclusive evidence, leading to no action against Holtzhausen.

He expressed concern over a “former staff member” persistently sharing inaccurate information regarding the incident in the media.

Moholola emphasized that the university, at this point, prefers not to delve into specifics but confirms that two investigations and subsequent reports regarding the incident concluded that there was insufficient evidence against the academic, thus recommending no further action.

“To reiterate, two investigations were conducted on the incident that occurred in October 2018. One was an internal investigation by UCT’s Campus Protection Services (CPS) in 2018, and another was an external investigation by an independent party in 2022. Both reports found no conclusive evidence and recommended no action against the academic.

He mentioned that the university is still awaiting the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) report and will act accordingly once it’s received and thoroughly reviewed.

The DHET report advised UCT to revisit the investigation to scrutinize how the senior management handled the situation regarding allegations of Holtzhausen’s drug abuse and the organizational structure.

Additionally, it suggested reopening the inquiry into the fire’s causes and Holtzhausen’s involvement.

UCT UNDER FIRE FOR SHIELDING PROFESSOR IN DRUG SCANDAL AND OFFICE FIRE

The University of Cape Town is facing criticism for allegedly shielding and advancing an employee reportedly caught using drugs and implicated in setting fire to an office in the Robert Leslie Social Science building.

According to IOL, in 2018, allegations surfaced implicating Associate Professor Leon Holtzhausen, who is purportedly a drug user, in the fire incident.

After reporting the incident and submitting evidence, including notes, pictures of the burnt office, and CCTV footage, Noyoo claimed that the senior officials and the Human Resource Department failed to take action.

Holtzhausen was appointed as HOD after Professor Shose Kessi was appointed dean of the Faculty of Humanities in 2019.

Noyoo revealed that UCT investigated the incident but kept the report hidden for over six years.

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