News24 reports that on Monday, Stellenbosch University's council decided to appoint a committee to probe allegations of nepotism against vice-chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers.

Acting council chairperson Dr Nicky Newton-King confirmed that a motion in terms of the university's statute to dismiss De Villiers was tabled during the council meeting. The motion was placed on the agenda by the DA's Stellenbosch constituency head and council member Leon Schreiber and seconded by Jan Heunis, the president of the university's convocation. The council agreed the matter should first be referred to a council committee of three people, of which one would be an independent legal professional. The committee will investigate the facts underlying the motion, including allegations of nepotism and a possible breach of related rules in relation to De Villiers' discretionary placement of family members at the university. It was reported earlier this month that De Villiers had used his discretionary right to secure a place for his wife's nephew at the university's medical school. The council also decided to review the vice-chancellor’s discretionary placement policy in its totality.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24

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