Statement on Prof Velile Notshulwana
STATEMENT ON PROF VELILE NOTSHULWANA
The University has now concluded the disciplinary process with regards to Prof Velile Notshulwana.
It should be stated that for good reasons, the University normally does not publicly pronounce on details of disciplinary cases of its employees, as we are concerned about the right of privacy and human dignity. This right belongs to all, even individuals found wanting in their behaviour. However, a number of factors have made it necessary for NMMU to make a public statement about its outcome: firstly, the allegations against Professor Notshulwana were published extensively in certain sections of the media; secondly, part of the allegations against him relate to the authenticity of his authorship of a series of articles in The Herald newspaper which itself established a link with his role as an NMMU employee. For these reasons, there are clear reputational issues at stake for NMMU. Given the damage suffered to the reputation of our University, NMMU is resolute in its commitment to guarantee the integrity of its academic mission, and professionalism and honesty of its staff as this all directly impacts on public perceptions about the quality of our education.
As previously indicated, the disciplinary process regarding Professor Notshulwana was conducted before an independent third party in order to ensure an impartial and objective outcome.
The issues raised in the enquiry included Prof Notshulwana’s incorrect representations in his CV relating specifically to his claims of being a co-author of four (4) journal articles, supervision of certain dissertations, his claimed association with certain American institutions and authorship of publications which appeared in The Herald.
The University reconfirmed, by way of a second external verification agency, that Prof Notshulwana holds a Doctoral degree (PhD) obtained in the United States referred to in his CV, and this issue did thus not form part of the charges tested in the disciplinary enquiry process.
The Presiding Officer found Professor Notshulwana guilty of serious misconduct in respect of allegations of misrepresentation of authorship of the four (4) journal articles, his claimed association with certain American institutions, and his claimed authorship of publications appearing in the Eastern Province Herald newspaper. The University duly considered the finding and sanction recommended by the Presiding Officer, and it was decided to terminate the services of Prof Notshulwana with immediate effect from 1 October 2014.
This concludes this matter. NMMU wishes to reaffirm its clear and firm commitment to upholding the principles of integrity and honesty of its staff, particularly but not only its academic staff. Integrity has been an aspirational hallmark of universities for literally centuries, and the basis on which it makes intellectual professions to society. For decades now, university appointment and peer review systems have functioned on the basis of trust and honesty. This particular incident has shaken our confidence in the veracity of this tacit system of academic assessment. Clearly new times, especially in the age of the Internet, require new measures to bolster the rigours of this traditional system of credential checking. For this reason, the University has already introduced, at considerable cost, an elaborate verifications checking procedure for all senior appointments, and is currently examining how to introduce a version of this new system of checks for all academic and support service staff appointees.
Finally, it is of utmost importance that media coverage and public opinion should not cast any aspersions and generalisations about the academic integrity of NMMU staff on the basis of an individual infraction. This would neither be fair nor factually correct. Our academic staff aspire to uphold high standards, in many cases with great distinction in both teaching and research, with many passionately devoted to their students and living up to NMMU’s creed in the most exemplary ways. We regularly bestow commendations on their achievements in teaching, research and engagement, and genuinely believe in their virtues, professionalism and dedication.
NMMU wants to assure the public of our commitment to do the right thing. We further wish to apologise for any embarrassment caused in this incident, including the failure of our internal systems in exercising rigorous oversight and verification.
Whilst moral responsibility lies with individuals’ intent on defrauding a system built on inherent trust and honesty, we cannot run away from the fact that the university leadership should take some responsibility in not having exercised proper oversight. We have obviously learnt from this embarrassing mistake, and will strive to ensure such risks are minimised in future.
Prof Derrick Swartz
Vice-Chancellor
