By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande says he intends to place Unisa under administration after a report revealed “financial and other maladministration” at the institution.
The department made the announcement late on Sunday.
Governance at the country’s oldest university has been in the spotlight over the past few months amid claims of maladministration and tender fraud.
An independent report commissioned by the Department of Higher Education recommended the institution be placed under administration.
The institution has since fired its registrar Professor Steward Mothata.
Higher Education spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi says Nzimande is satisfied with the independent assessor’s report, which revealed serious financial and other maladministration.
“The report reveals that the appointment of an administrator is in the best interest of UNISA and of higher education in an open and democratic society.
“The Ministerial Task Team conducted an Independent Review of UNISA’s ‘mission drift’ – which had massive implications for the financial sustainability and future of UNISA.
“The MTT also made a rigorous assessment of how the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its associative disruptions and shifts will affect many aspects of the academic mission, academic programmes, markets and operating model of UNISA,” says Mnisi.
Mnisi says Nzimande has also allowed the University Council to make written representations to him within seven days.