POLITICS

Totalitarian element to Phil Charles affair - Royal Society

John Skinner says NRF's failed disciplinary action against astronomer disturbing

Professor Phil Charles (Director of the South African Astronomical Observatory) has been cleared of all the charges laid against him at a disciplinary hearing initiated by the Corporate Executive of the National Research Foundation (NRF). The major charge he faced was that he had shared ‘secret information' with colleagues regarding decisions the NRF had taken in connection with the future of astronomical facilities in South Africa.

However, this was information that these very colleagues should have been given by the NRF, and indeed, because they are stakeholders, they should also have been party to the process that led to these decisions. We are also concerned that the NRF acted against Professor Charles despite the request of the Minister of Science and Technology not to do so.

The action taken against Professor Charles has disturbed the international scientific community and placed a grave question mark against South Africa's international scientific reputation. Corporate governance would appear to be lacking and clear policy direction ignored.

In broader perspective, we would like to raise our concern that our national scientific facilities may become subject to a form of totalitarian control. Since 1994 we have enjoyed policies based on democratic consultation, open processes and freedom of information. We would strongly support an open and public enquiry into this damaging incident and the implementation of mechanisms to prevent anything similar occurring in the future. Unless such a process takes place, we fear that the international scientific community will lose confidence in entering into collaborative agreements with the South African scientific establishment.

Statement issued by John Skinner, Royal Society of South Africa, March 16 2010

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