The board of the Water Research Commission (WRC) says it has placed CEO Dr Jennifer Molwantwa on precautionary suspension, with effect from June 22, and appointed Professor Stanley Liphadzi acting CEO.
It says Molwantwa's suspension follows the conclusion of an independent forensic investigation process. It stresses that the suspension is a governance measure intended to preserve the integrity of ongoing disciplinary processes, protect institutional interests and ensure that any subsequent processes proceed without actual or perceived interference, and that it does not in any way constitute a finding or any conclusion of the matter.
The WRC notes that Liphadzi has extensive leadership experience in the water sector, research management, institutional governance and public administration and will provide executive leadership while the disciplinary process runs its course.
It adds that the board has been actively engaging the Department of Water and Sanitation on these developments and wishes to assure all stakeholders, including government partners, researchers, funders, universities, industry partners, employees and the public, that the operations of the WRC remain fully functional.
"All research programmes, funding commitments, partnerships, innovation initiatives and statutory responsibilities continue without interruption under the leadership of the acting CEO and the executive management team," it states.
