By Akani Nkuna

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has appointed veteran academic Dr Robert Nkuna as administrator of the College of Cape Town to help stabilise the institution.

“The appointment is time-bound and will endure for a period not exceeding two years, or until a duly constituted Council is established. The Administrator will assume the governance functions of Council and will focus on implementing key recommendations arising from oversight and audit processes, and safeguarding teaching, learning and student wellbeing,” said Matshepo Seedat, DHET spokesperson, in a statement on Wednesday.

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Nkuna’s appointment follows a year of escalating dysfunction at the TVET college.

In September, the department set up a Stabilisation and Governance Support Team (SGST) to intervene in governance and management disputes, including a breakdown in relations between the principal, council and senior management.

Also cited were labour-relations tensions and concerns about the impact on teaching, learning and student welfare.

The SGST’s final report, received by the minister this month, found governance failures and serious weaknesses in financial controls. It recommended corrective action, while a separate GPSSBC arbitration ruling found principal Mhangarai Muswaba guilty on multiple misconduct charges, including irregular appointments, procurement breaches and bullying. He was dismissed on 13 February.  

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“The minister emphasises that this intervention is corrective and restorative in nature, undertaken in the best interests of students, staff and the broader public,” Seedat said.

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