|
More on Ashwin Desai
by imc-ct
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006 at 5:29 AM
Replies from UKZN and the HSRC.
The Mercury (Durban)
LETTERS
Desai Was Never Banned From Employment At UKZN
The status of Dr Ashwin Desai at the University of KwaZulu-Natal has
attracted some publicity in several newspaper reports. Unfortunately, some
of the comments are inaccurate or misleading. The purpose of this release is
to put the matter into proper perspective...from Prof Dasarath Chetty,
Executive Director: Public Affairs and Corporate Communications
It is common cause that, following substantial unrest on the former UDW
campus, the state appointed the Gautchi Commission of Inquiry which, in
part, recommended that disciplinary action be taken against various members
of staff, including Desai. The UDW council was involved materially in
implementing the recommendations of the commission. Desai was subsequently
charged with misconduct before a staff disciplinary inquiry.
During the course of this inquiry a settlement was reached between UDW and
Desai, the terms of which were confidential. While we cannot reveal the
terms of the settlement agreement, it is important to emphasise that Desai
has never been "banned" from employment at the UKZN. To suggest that Prof
Malegapuru Makgoba, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UKZN, banned Desai
from working at the university is incorrect.
However, given the peculiar history of Desai, coupled with the fact that
there is a legally binding agreement in place; it is considered prudent that
the UKZN Council should be afforded an opportunity to review this matter.
Desai left UDW in terms of an agreement which is in full and final
settlement of the parties' rights. It contains material which good
governance requires the prior involvement of the University of KwaZulu-Natal
Council should Desai wish to pursue any application for employment at the
university.
This has been explained to Desai. If, or when, he makes the appropriate
application to the UKZN Council, it will be fairly and properly considered
having regard to all the relevant circumstances. Accordingly, any suggestion
that Desai is prevented from seeking employment at UKZN is refuted. Should
Desai consent to waiving the confidentiality clause of his settlement
agreement, the university has no objection to making its terms public as
this
will openly confirm the precise relationship between Desai and the
university.
Prof Dasarath Chetty, Executive Director: Public Affairs and Corporate
Communications
***
HSRC does not comment on managerial decisions
January 10, 2006
In the article "Desai to head sports racism probe" (The Mercury, January 3)
Zukile Majova wrote that the Human Science Research Council (HSRC)
terminated a research contract with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
on the grounds that we felt Dr Ashwin Desai's exclusion was unfair...from
Prof Adam Habib, Executive Director: Democracy & Governance Human Science
Research Council
I want to make it categorically clear that it is not the policy of the HSRC
to comment on the managerial decisions of other institutions. I did confirm
that the HSRC had contracted Desai directly to undertake research on racism
and to redress initiatives in sport in South Africa. I indicated that the
HSRC had originally contracted the Centre for Civil Society on the express
understanding that Desai would be leading the study.
I was subsequently informed by the university that it was not in a position
to abide by this earlier agreement and, as a result, we jointly agreed to
terminate the contract, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal refunded the
HSRC the full amount of the grant. Thereafter, the HSRC contracted Desai
directly to undertake the study. I do confirm that I did say that I believe
Desai is the most appropriate person to undertake this study, given both his
experience and qualifications.
Prof Adam Habib, Executive Director: Democracy & Governance Human Science
Research Council
| 
