Ntuthuzelo Nene3 February 2024 | 9:01

Former council chair Ngonyama vows to keep fighting UCT amid alleged intimidation

Ngonyama is engaged in a legal battle with the university over a report suggesting that she committed serious governance failures by misleading the institution's executive council.

Former council chair Ngonyama vows to keep fighting UCT amid alleged intimidation

University of Cape Town's upper campus. Picture: © Dmitrii Sakharov /123rf.com

CAPE TOWN - Former University of Cape Town (UCT) council chair Babalwa Ngonyama said she would not back down from her battle with the institution despite what she called intimidation tactics against her. 

Ngonyama is engaged in a legal battle with the university over a report suggesting that she committed serious governance failures by misleading the institution's executive council.

READ: Former council chair accuses UCT of corporate bullying tactics to target her

She is challenging the lawfulness and fairness of the process and the nature of the panel's powers.

Ngonyama is also accusing the university of corporate bullying.

She claims UCT sent a letter to an investment holding company, Camissa Asset Management, in which her business has a stake, threatening to withdraw university investment funds.

According to Ngonyama, the letter suggests that dividends paid through her company could be used to fund the legal battle against the institution. 

"UCT's threats, intimidation, attempts at sabotage and invasion of my personal business relationships is tantamount to covert bullying and psychological intimidation. The insinuation being implied once again target me with an objective of ensuring that I cannot proceed with the litigation against UCT."

The university has told Eyewitness News that it would not be commenting on the matter.