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By Johnathan Paoli
Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane will be engaging Unisa on fresh allegations of financial misconduct and the suspension of senior officials.
Her department said in a statement that the minister had assured stakeholders that the department was actively monitoring the situation and remained committed to supporting Unisa in restoring stability and governance.
The university has recently come under renewed scrutiny following the suspension of Donald Ndlovu, a senior director in the asset and expenditure unit, who reportedly raised alarms over an alleged irregular expenditure of R500,000.
According to reports, Ndlovu flagged the amount spent on a Progressive Business Forum gala dinner aligned with the African National Congress. A table for 12 Unisa executives was booked adjacent to President Cyril Ramaphosa at an event held in December last year.
Unisa suspended Ndlovu on 29 April for allegedly downloading and sharing proof of payment to external parties. He has denied the charge of misconduct and is now being legally represented by AfriForum’s private prosecution unit.
AfriForum’s legal division head Gerrie Nel has described the university’s disciplinary action as a “clumsy attempt to silence whistleblowers and conceal financial malpractice”.
Nkabane did not directly reference the gala dinner allegations or individual disciplinary cases in her statement, but emphasised the critical need to uphold the integrity of public higher education institutions.
Unisa’s current troubles are not limited to Ndlovu’s case.
He is the second high-ranking official to be suspended amid ongoing investigations into the university’s financial management.
In April last year, Reshma Mathura, the acting vice-principal for finance, supply chain management and business enterprise, as well as the institution’s chief financial officer, was also suspended.
Despite several internal investigations reportedly clearing her of wrongdoing, she remains suspended more than a year later and is also being defended by AfriForum.
These suspensions are unfolding against a backdrop of broader concern about Unisa’s governance.
The university has faced consistent criticism over its financial oversight mechanisms, with growing calls for transparency and accountability.
Several stakeholders, including staff unions, student groups and civil society organisations have urged government intervention to prevent further erosion of trust in the institution.
Nkabane said that while institutions must deal decisively with governance failures, all processes must adhere to the principles of fairness and justice.
The department has not ruled out further interventions.
According to the minister, ongoing engagement with the university council and management will continue in the coming weeks to assess the situation and provide guidance.
Unisa, Africa’s largest open distance learning institution, serves over 400,000 students across South Africa and abroad.
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