A member of Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Student Representative Council (SRC) for 2021/2022 has decided to terminate his candidacy. This follows allegations of misconduct in the run-up to the election of the SRC’s chairperson and deputy chairperson.
Unathi Ngumbela, a member of Stellenbosch University’s Student Representative Council (SRC), served on the SRC for the 2020/2021 term. Ngumbela was barred from running in the chairperson election on 9 September, after a complaint was filed against him for committing infringements outlined in the SRC Election Code of Conduct. PHOTO: LinkedIn/Unathi Ngumbela
This was according to Unathi Ngumbela, the SRC candidate, who terminated his term on 13 September. Ngumbela was barred from running in the chairperson election on 9 September, after a complaint was filed against him for committing infringements outlined in the SRC Election Code of Conduct.
“After much deliberation, I have decided to put my mental health and well-being first,” said Ngumbela.
Terms of resignation
The newly elected chairperson of the SRC, Viwe Kobokana, told MatieMedia that she was able to officially accept Ngumbela’s resignation on 15 September.
This comes after what appeared to be initial confusion as to the processes that should be followed after Ngumbela tendered his resignation.
It was not within the SRC Election Committee’s power to accept Ngumbela’s resignation, as doing so would not align with the official process for ending an SRC member’s candidacy, according to Francesca Visagé, the 2021 SRC election convenor. The process is laid out in section 25 of the Student Constitution, she said.
“As such, there is no process of resignation or replacement ongoing at this stage,” said Visagé when she spoke to MatieMedia on 13 September.
The requirement relevant for the acceptance of Ngumbela’s resignation, according to the Student Constitution, is that “the membership of an SRC member comes to an end when the member presents a written resignation to the Secretary of the SRC”.
At the time of Ngumbela’s resignation, an SRC secretary had not been elected yet.
By 14 September, Ngumbela told MatieMedia that none of the requirements for resignation outlined in section 25 of the Student Constitution had been met yet.
“The Constitution, in itself, is not clear in terms of the requirements of an SRC member to step down when the official portfolios have not been elected,” said Ngumbela. “Taking into consideration that I am also well within my right to step down as an SRC member.”
“After consultation with relevant stakeholders and the relevant constitutions, we came to the conclusion that I will be accepting his resignation within my capacity as the chairperson of the 2021/2022 SRC,” said Kobokana.
The Student Representative Council (SRC) office in the Neelsie Student Centre. SRC resignations cannot be accepted by the SRC Election Committee, as this would not align with the official process for ending an SRC member’s candidacy. PHOTO: MatieMedia Archive/Kirthana Pillay
The SRC is hoping to have executive elections on 20 September, added Kobokana.