The University of Cape Town (UCT) has announced the appointment of Emeritus Professor Daya Reddy as its interim vice-chancellor.

The decision was made at a special council meeting last week following consultation with the senate and after seeking the advice of the Institutional Forum.

UCT council chairperson Babalwa Ngonyama said Reddy would officially assume duty on Tuesday and hold the position until a new vice-chancellor was appointed.

"We want to thank professor Reddy for availing himself of this role, and we warmly support him back to UCT. I am sure we will all offer him our support during his interim tenure," Ngonyama said.

In a statement, the council said Reddy had spent almost his entire academic career at UCT.

"At his retirement in 2020, he held the South African Research Chair in Computational Mechanics. He enjoys considerable recognition nationally and internationally as a researcher and has received multiple awards in recognition of his scholarly work."

Reddy's appointment comes after beleaguered former vice-chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng was placed on special leave mere days after an agreement was reached for her to leave her position.

In a leaked letter sent to the university's executive, Phakeng confirmed she was leaving UCT, describing the last 10 months as "untenable".

Her exit also comes amid an independent investigation, led by retired Supreme Court of Appeal president judge Lex Mpati.

The panel is probing allegations that Phakeng and Ngonyama misled the senate about the reasons for the departure of deputy vice-chancellor Lis Lange, including allegations of bullying, abuse of non-disclosure agreements and an exodus of senior staff.

Other possible replacements for Phakeng include professors emeriti Lungisile Ntsebeza and Hugh Corder, whose names came up during deliberations for suitable candidates.

News24 understands none of the current three deputy vice-chancellors were in the running to take over Phakeng's position on an interim basis.

Reddy is expected to serve a term of about six months while the recruitment of a new vice-chancellor is completed.