University of Cape Town acts on 40 complaints to whistle-blower hotline
The externally operated hotline, established in 2015, serves as a secure way for staff, students and third parties to alert UCT management to issues not detected via normal internal controls.
'In 2024, the university whistle-blowing hotline received a total of 40 reports. Thirty-seven of them were successfully investigated, and an outcome communicated accordingly. Disciplinary actions were taken in cases involving unethical behaviour or misconduct,' said interim registrar and associate professor Kathy Idensohn.
Examples of reports received include an online platform hosted by an external party claiming to have a qualification from the university. An investigation revealed the severity of the matter which was handed over to SAPS for further action.
Other reports raised concerns about the ill treatment of certain students and corrective measures were implemented; and the abuse of UCT property by staff, which was subsequently confirmed and financial losses successfully recovered.
The hotline operates on strict principles of confidentiality and anonymity. After receiving a complaint, the service provider forwards it to management for investigation.
On completion of the investigation, an outcome is communicated back to the service provider, which is relayed to the whistle-blower.
TimesLIVE
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mail & Guardian
40 minutes ago
- Mail & Guardian
Mbenenge says flirtatious texts with his accuser were sensual, not sexual
Eastern Cape judge president Selby Mbenenge. (Office of the Chief Justice/ S Lioners) Flirtatious text messages between Eastern Cape judge president Selby Mbenenge and junior legal professional Andiswa Mengo were at the centre of Tuesday's session of the judicial conduct tribunal in which he faces sexual harassment charges. Mbenenge told the tribunal that the tone of the text exchanges was 'sensual' rather than sexual, and emphasised that he and Mengo had not been physically intimate. When he first took the stand on Monday, Mbenenge showed he was not at the Mthatha high court during the date of an alleged incident of indecent exposure at his chambers and said the relationship with Mengo was consensual. Taking the stand months into the tribunal, Mbenenge insisted that he did nothing wrong in pursuing a romantic relationship with Mengo, saying he was not her supervisor and blamed a smear campaign for the harassment claims. Mengo has accused Mbenenge of sexually hounding her while she was based at the Mthatha high court, including sending inappropriate WhatsApp messages and requesting nude photographs of her. Gender expert Lisa Vetten has testified that because of Text messages have taken centre stage in the evidence, with digital forensic analysts and linguistic experts unpacking their subliminal meanings. The On Tuesday, Mbenenge focused his defence on screenshots of nude photos he is alleged to have sent to Mengo on 16 June 2021, requesting her reciprocation the next day. He denied sending any such photos and said there was no concrete evidence to support the claim. In her affidavit, Mengo stated that Mbenenge had sent several photos of his private parts and pornographic material, which he allegedly deleted shortly after sending. She said she managed to capture a screenshot of one image. But Mbenenge highlighted what he called inconsistencies between Mengo's affidavit and her earlier testimony during the first sitting of the tribunal in January. He questioned the absence of the alleged nude photo, stating that no such image had been presented as evidence. Reading from her complaint, Mbenenge quoted Mengo's testimony of her recollection the day after he requested a nude photo from her: 'On 18 June 2021 he asked me if we were done with what we were talking about, and I said no.' He said this suggested ambiguity, not rejection. Mbenenge said that instead of sending him a nude photo as requested, Mengo had posted a photograph of herself on her WhatsApp status, to which he responded with a message expressing pleasant surprise. He further claimed that the following day, Mengo sent him a Father's Day message using his clan name, 'Jola', which he described as a term of endearment. Mengo has said she Mbenenge said he interpreted this as a continuation of the flirtatious tone and an indication of mutual interest. He said the phrase 'earn it', which Mengo used during their exchange, was not a rejection but an invitation to persist in romantic pursuit. 'What I am doing at this point is to demonstrate the incongruity between the complaints [texts and testimony]' Mbenenge told the tribunal. He argued that the content and context of the text messages showed a mutual and consensual romantic dynamic, not harassment. Asked by his counsel, Muzi Sikhakhane, whether he had ever picked up discomfort from Mengo, Mbenenge responded, 'Not at all.' He described their conversations as 'deeply sensual', even when discussing sexual positions, and insisted this did not amount to sexual engagement or harassment but rather playful flirtation. Mbenenge dismissed the suggestion that Mengo had firmly said 'no' multiple times during their exchanges, stating he did not encounter a 'no' when reading the transcript of the text messages. Mbenenge said Mengo had complimented him as 'handsome' twice and, at one point, when he asked, 'Do you reckon we can be intimate this week?', she responded by saying she would answer in person. The text conversations, according to Mbenenge, eventually became confusing, particularly when he sought to meet in person and Mengo failed to give a clear response. The judge continuously emphasised the 'shame' he had to endure because of the explicit nature of the allegations based on Mengo's testimony without actual evidence of photos he is accused of having sent. The tribunal continues on Wednesday with further cross-examination by Sikhakhane and the evidence leader, Salome Scheepers.
The Herald
2 hours ago
- The Herald
Free State records two deaths, rescues 21 from illegal initiation school
Two deaths have been recorded in the Free State since the start of the winter initiation season, while a joint effort by the community, the Provincial Initiation Co-ordinating Committee (PICC) and the police has led to the rescue of 21 initiates from an illegal initiation school in Theunissen. One death was recorded in Botshabelo and another in Bethulie. Police are investigating the cases. The Free State co-operative governance and traditional affairs department (Cogta) confirmed the illegal initiation school has been closed and the initiates reunited with their families. 'One of the initiates has been taken to hospital for medical attention,' it said. 'In Bethulie, two male initiates received medical attention after they were found with swollen feet. The cause of their condition is still being investigated. In Vrede, Thabo Mofutsanyana district, two cases of missing initiates were reported to the police. The initiates are aged 15 and 27,' said Cogta spokesperson Zimasa Mbewu. Six criminal cases have been opened with law enforcement agencies in the province.
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
SAHRC calls for a commission of inquiry after Mkhwanazi's revelations
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is calling for a commission of inquiry after allegations of corruption and political interference made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against police minister Senzo Mchunu and deputy national commissioner for crime detection Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya. The commission said it had written to President Cyril Ramaphosa, calling for the establishment of a commission of inquiry to thoroughly investigate the allegations. On Sunday, Mkhwanazi made damning allegations against Mchunu, accusing the minister of interfering with police investigations and also being an associate of people of questionable character. The commission said it viewed the allegations as a significant challenge for the police service, which plays a vital role in maintaining public order, ensuring the safety of citizens and securing constitutional democracy. 'Given the ongoing issues of unresolved cases involving whistle-blower assassinations, corruption, abductions and gender-based violence (GBV), as well as high crime rates, it is essential for the police to regain the public's trust. The SAPS must use all available resources to resolve cases involving the killing of whistle-blowers, as well as those related to corruption and abduction. It is crucial for SAPS to regain public confidence in its ability to fulfil its mandate effectively,' said the commission. Meanwhile, the South African Council of Churches (SACC) said the allegations were serious and disconcerting to the council. Spokesperson Khuthalani Khumalo said the allegations not only undermine the nation's fight against crime but also cause serious reputational harm to the police service, a key national instrument for keeping the nation safe. 'It is troubling to entertain the thought that someone with all the power and instruments bestowed on him by our constitution and state is possibly using this to facilitate criminality instead of fighting crime. It is a scary thought for our nation. These shocking and distressing allegations reveal a seeming collapse of trust between the ministry and the SAPS itself,' said Khumalo. Khumalo said the allegations have left the South African public uncertain about where the loyalties of the leadership of the national and the provincial police services lie, giving way to the question, 'Who can be trusted when it comes to the fight against crime in South Africa?' As an essential first step in the search for the truth, the SACC is calling on Ramaphosa to establish an impartial investigation into all allegations, regardless of who is implicated and to temporarily suspend all parties implicated pending outcomes of the investigation to protect the integrity of the process. The council also wants the strengthening of oversight mechanisms to prevent future compromises of law enforcement agencies and the protection of whistle-blowers who courageously expose wrongdoing within the system. It called on those implicated, including the minister, to search their conscience and put the country first, by fully and comprehensively co-operating with all investigations. 'This requires that they recuse themselves from state responsibilities as they help society regain confidence in their abilities to lead their respective offices,' said Khumalo.
