Question NW2618 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
18 September 2023 - NW2618
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
(a) What is his position regarding the non-disclosure agreement of the University of Cape Town pertaining to its former vice chancellor and deputy vice chancellor (details furnished) and (b) what steps will he take to ensure that all relevant information is made public, including the information known by the council members representing his department?
Reply:
a) Minister is awaiting the final report of the panel that is investigating various matters at the university. Notwithstanding, Minister’s authority regarding none-disclosure agreements is explained in section 41 of the Higher Education Act read with Regulations 6 and 7 of the Regulations for Reporting by Public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Based on the latter, Minister has the legal right to request the Council to furnish him with the information contained in the none-disclosure agreement. He can also verify the financial component of the none-disclosure agreement by studying the audited annual financial statements contained in the Annual Report once the report is submitted to the Department.
b) All relevant information will be available in the Annual Report of the university - all annual reports are accessible to the public.
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