DA welcomes re-instatement of leading astronomer Prof Phil Charles

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the National Research Foundation's (NRF) acceptance of the finding of its disciplinary hearing, which clears Professor Phil Charles of all the charges it made against him, and his subsequent re-instatement as director of the South African Astronomical Observatory (see report).

We trust that the parties concerned will put this bruising episode behind them and positively combine their efforts in the best interest of South African and African astronomy in particular and science in general.

The NRF's media statement indicates some reluctance in accepting the finding of the disciplinary hearing's chairperson, and states that it will continue to ‘deal' with the issues that led to what it believes were Prof Charles' transgressions.

The DA will continue to press for details of the perceived transgressions that prompted the hearing and the full charges that were brought against Prof Charles. Clarity on this issue is vital for the rumours that circulated around this hearing to be finally put to rest.

If, as many eminent scientists believe, the core issue of the disciplinary hearing was about academic freedom versus the bureaucratisation of the practise of science in South Africa, it is vital that the ‘management and government' issues that currently seize the NRF are fully understood and discussed.

If South Africa wants to attract top international scientists to work in the country - and retain the skills of those it has educated and nurtured - it is critical that they work within establishments that aspire to international best practise in the way in which they are employed and managed.

Statement issued by Marian Shinn, MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of science and technology, March 15 2010

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