UCT urged to reopen investigation into drug use an internal probe 'covered up'

A confidential investigative report submitted to the director-general of the Department of Higher Education and Training has called for urgent action at the University of Cape Town (UCT) following serious allegations of a drug abuse cover-up, among other things, against associate professor Leon Holtzhausen.

- By Setumo Stone

The report, dated September 1, 2023, and submitted to the director-general of the department, scrutinises claims of substance abuse, suspected arson and unethical conduct.

It also raises concerns about the university's treatment of whistleblowers, particularly since Holtzhausen was subsequently promoted.

According to the report, the allegations first surfaced in 2018. Prof Ndangwa Noyoo, identified as a whistleblower in the document, reported the matter to the department, and it acknowledged his protection under the Protected Disclosures Act.

The report states that in 2018, "a fire occurred in an office allegedly used by Prof Holtzhausen for drug-related activities".

Surveillance footage, it adds, showed Holtzhausen at the scene "holding a box suspected to contain drug paraphernalia, which later disappeared".

Despite these events, an investigation commission by UCT found no conclusive evidence linking Holtzhausen to either arson or drug abuse, and subsequently dismissed the allegations.

The departmental report has since poked holes into it, criticising its process and suggesting it may have fatally suffered from bias and a lack of thoroughness.

The document further asserts that Noyoo and other whistleblowers "faced harassment, demotion, and non-renewal of contracts". It also highlights that "Prof Holtzhausen was later promoted to head of department despite the allegations".