NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 103
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 MARCH 2010 (INTERNAL
QUESTION PAPER NO. 6-2010)
â103. Mr K A Sinclair (COPE-nc) to ask the Minister of Science and
Technology:
(1) Whether the suspension of a certain British astronomer (name
furnished) by the National Research Foundation will influence
South Africaâs bid against Australia to host the Square
Kilometer Array; if not, what is the position in this regard; if
so, what are the relevant details,
(2) Whether any progress has been made regarding the said personâs
disciplinary hearing; if not; why not; if so, what progress?â
CW130E
REPLY:
1. The Department of Science and Technology believes that the recent
suspension of Prof. Philip Charles as the Director of the South
African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) will not have negative
implications for South Africa's bid to host the Square Kilometre Array
telescope, because the suspension had no link to the work we are
currently doing on the SKA project. We are on track with all planned
SKA milestones achieved.
2. Prof. Charles was found not guilty on all charges on 12 March 2010 and
resumed full responsibility as Director of the SAAO with immediate
effect. The Board of the NRF has given their assurance that this
matter is now closed.
(#175399)