The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has dissociated itself from researcher and crime activist, Mary De Haas, following her ‘disappointing testimony’ before the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee. 

De Haas, who appeared before Parliament on Tuesday, is an honorary research fellow at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. 

During her appearance before Parliament, De Haas provided the committee with the information she received from confidential sources but refused to divulge their names and identities. 

She also declined to reveal the names even in a private session. 

This resulted in her testimony being described as “disappointing, unreliable and hearsay” by several members of the committee. The MPs also argued that her refusal to disclose the names made her evidence impossible to verify. 

The Ad Hoc Committee is currently investigating serious allegations of police corruption, criminal infiltration, and political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the broader criminal justice system. 

The committee was established following explosive claims made by the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in July. 

De Haas is also widely referred to as “Professor” by the media and in public discourse. 

Her qualifications were also questioned by an EFF MP, Leigh-Ann Mathys, who said that De Haas does not hold an earned doctorate and that her “Dr” title comes from an honorary degree.

However, De Haas stated that she is “sick of saying” she is not a professor and aims to disassociate UKZN from personal insults. 

In response to concerns raised regarding the university’s association with De Haas following her appearance before the committee, UKZN Executive Director of Corporate Relations Normah Zondo, through the statement issued on earlier on Wednesday, said De Haas is not an employee of the university and is also not a professor at UKZN.  

“For clarity, Ms De Haas is not an employee of the University and is not a professor at UKZN. She retired from the then university of Natal in 2002, where she served as a Senior Lecturer and Programme Director in Social Anthropology,” she said, adding the University of Natal merged with the University of Durban-Westville in 2004, to form UKZN. 

Zondo added that De Haas’s current association with UKZN is limited to the position of Honorary Research Fellow in the school of law. She said the position does not involve employment or teaching responsibilities. 

“While she has collaborated with members of the Navi Pillay Research Group, she also conducts independent research, which is entirely separate from the university, and this includes work on violent crime and policing,” said Zondo who added that the university will not comment on evidence presented before the Ad Hoc Committee.

Meanwhile, political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said De Haas’s performance risked undermining her relationship with UKZN, adding that the institution may choose to disassociate itself from her. 

Seepe added that her reluctance to reveal her sources is understandable as the government has been unable to protect whistleblowers from acts of violence and intimidation, even though her submission will be rendered to be nothing more than hearsay.  

“In an environment where the state has been unable to protect whistleblowers from acts of violence and intimidation, it is understandable that Mary de Haas may be reluctant to reveal her sources.

“Having said that, in the absence of verifiable testimonies and authenticated documents, Mary de Haas’ submission would be rendered to be nothing more than hearsay. Her performance risks undermining her relationship with UKZN. The institution cannot be held accountable by acts of individuals associated with it. UKZN may choose to disassociate itself with her,” said Seepe. 

Another analyst Professor Sethulego Matsebesi, said although refusing to disclose the identities of confidential sources does not diminish the credibility De Haas or her testimony, she seemed circumspect in her statements, which may raise questions about her credibility.

Dr Ntsikelelo Breakfast said De Haas said that it was pointless to give testimony without providing names.

manyane.manyane@inl.co.za

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