RIGHT OF REPLY
In an article that appeared in the Mail & Guardian last week, under the headline “Academic freedom at stake”, a former University of Johannesburg (UJ) employee, Professor Colin Chasi, makes a barrage of false accusations related to his dismissal from The institution.
In the article, which appeared in print on December 15 and online the following day, Chasi claims he was wrongfully fired for raising issues related to delivering quality education, transformation, and protecting the health and well-being of academics. in the faculty of humanities.
He also alleges that his dismissal was due to the fact that the university stifled academic freedom and violated the law, among other things.
“My matter is important because it is the first case brought before the courts to protect the constitutionally enshrined principle of academic freedom, which deals with the right of academics to protect their students and speak as administrators of their disciplines,” he wrote. Chasi. .
How false and malicious can one be? It should be emphasized that the University of Johannesburg treats dispute matters involving its current and former employees as confidential. The university rarely makes these matters public.
The University views this as an ethical practice to protect the privacy and dignity of individuals employed by or associated with the institution. However, the university cannot remain silent when disgruntled individuals abuse the freedom of the media to impugn its reputation.
First of all, and to put things in perspective, Chasi was fired from the university on November 24, 2017, following an extensive hearing that lasted 24 days and was presided over by an independent lawyer selected from the approved panel of external independent presidents of University.
He subsequently filed a lawsuit against the university in the labor court. This was also dismissed, on October 3 of this year. Chasi then requested leave to appeal, and this too was denied.
It should be noted that there are currently no related matters before the courts. The university, therefore, considers the matter closed, following the extensive, thorough and fair set of processes. However, given the unsubstantiated and outlandish accusations that paint a misleading picture of the university, Chasi’s views cannot go unchallenged.
As a university, we find it curious and indeed disturbing that Chasi continues to pursue a matter that qualified and independent judges have found to be without merit on multiple occasions. In the article, Chasi reiterates his legal challenge that the dismissal of his case was based on procedural grounds, as it was a “technical matter related to the way the documents were delivered.” [in court]”.
It is not the university’s intention to go into detail about the technical flaws in Chasi’s case, as noted by the Johannesburg labor court. This included the conclusions that there was “some inexplicable conduct on the part of Chasi and his legal representatives” and that his case was not only “completely without substance and simply wrong”, but that his actions were “ intentional and deliberate.
It is worth noting that in dismissing Chasi’s case (of a substantial and procedurally unfair dismissal), the court ruled that he chose not to bring the matter before the appropriate court in the form of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). , but that he wouldn’t have made it anyway.
“Would it be in the interest of justice to grant forgiveness? I do not consider this to be the case. In the end, there is nothing unique and exceptional about the case that cries out for the intervention of this court, because it may be in the interest of justice to do so,” Judge AJ Snyman said. The judge further stated that Chasi “did not bring any case of bias” and, more importantly, that “her case of him is doomed to fail.”
The judge explained: “In all of the circumstances set forth above, the applicant’s application for discharge must fail… even if the applicant’s application for discharge is considered as is, the applicant has failed to justify the granting of the discharge. It is in the best interest of justice, and in line with the requirements for expedited resolution of labor disputes, that this matter is ultimately dismissed.”
The court also criticized Chasi for his unwarranted attacks on the university.
“In the discharge application, and instead of simply properly applying their mind to what the defendant (UJ) had to say on the statement of claim… the applicant, in essence, attacks the defendant, trying to divert attention from the problem real”.
The University of Johannesburg scornfully rejects Chasi’s claims that the institution stifles academic freedom and transformation, something he says he stood for.
“Without academic freedom, the great gift of academic excellence is in jeopardy,” he wrote. At UJ, we pride ourselves on our record of transformation and vigorously uphold the value of free expression.
For the record, UJ scholars are among the largest contributors of thought leadership articles and expert commentary to the media, where they share their views on a wide variety of news and current affairs topics at home and abroad. other parts of the world.
Over the years, UJ has consistently remained in the top three South African universities with a strong presence in the media space. Through this, academics influence the public debate on issues of national and international interest and enrich and deepen knowledge.
In the 2022 academic year alone, for example, more than 300 opinion pieces by UJ experts writing on a wide range of topics were featured on print and online media platforms, according to two independent media monitoring agencies, Professional Evaluation and Research and Meltwater.
In addition, more than 500 experts appeared in the national media, while more than 200 appeared in the global media.
Many UJ scholars continue to be recognized for their scholarship, expertise, community involvement, and public intellectual contributions. UJ scholars have also been appointed to national and international boards and academies, which not only contributes to enhancing their professional profiles, but also reaffirms the growing stature of the university in various fields.
Likewise, UJ students have excelled in various academic, sports, artistic and cultural competitions. This is a testament to their resilience and the support they receive from staff in various faculties (including the humanities) and professional support services.
At UJ, we put the well-being of our students at the center of everything we do. We will continue to do so in our ongoing efforts to serve the nation, the continent, and the world, and shape them to be more just, just, and just. It is in this context that Chasi’s derogatory and defamatory comments strike us.
In the article, Chasi states that he led the communications and media department through a period of transformation, to become one of the most productive teaching and research departments in South Africa. He then accuses the university of acting in a way that hinders academic excellence. This is far from the truth and should be ruled out entirely.
As a university, we are not averse to criticism, because it is part of academic freedom. What we will not accept, however, is people deliberately misrepresenting the facts, often out of a victim mentality and a lack of recognition of their own shortcomings.
As Amilcar Cabral, one of the great African leaders, reminds us: “Hide nothing from the people. Do not tell lies. Expose lies whenever they are told. Do not hide difficulties, mistakes, failures, do not claim easy victories.
UJ has an enabling environment that supports its scholars and researchers to realize their full potential and unleash their intellectual capital on national and global stages. In fact, we continue to make significant advances in rating systems.
This is evidenced by our upward trajectory in various categories of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, THE Subject Rankings, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) BRICS University Rankings, QS Sustainability Rankings, and Top Global University Rankings. (BGUR).
Chasi claims that the way the university handled her case is symptomatic of an institution that stands in the way of transformation. Rather, transformation is a goal firmly woven into the social, intellectual, and structural fabric of the university.
UJ is “liberal, progressive, transformative and assertive of academic freedom in the values it advocates”. We recognize that transformation is a continuous, dynamic and qualitative process to promote the development of knowledge in an environment that recognizes the various experiences lived for social responsibility.
As Vice Chancellor and Senior Lecturer Tshilidzi Marwala rightly wrote in August, the transformation since UJ was established 17 years ago has been focused on inclusion. It is defined by inclusion across gender, race, class, and international lines. It’s an ongoing process, especially at senior leadership levels.
Lebogang Seale, a PhD candidate in journalism and media studies, is a senior manager of strategic communications at the University of Johannesburg.
