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By Levy Masiteng
The Minister of Higher Education and Training (DHET), Buti Manamela, has assured the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education that his department will address governance and management disputes at the College of Cape Town (CCT).
In a statement, the DHET said the stabilisation team is aimed at restoring order and protecting the institution.
Manamela said the team’s mandate includes conducting a fact-finding process into governance and leadership disputes, mediating between the council, principals and deputy principals, and recommending corrective steps to his office.
“This intervention is not about taking sides. It is about restoring order, protecting the institution, and ensuring that students are not the collateral damage of leadership conflicts.
“Our priority is to stabilise governance, safeguard teaching and learning, and build confidence in the College’s future,” Manamela said.
The duty of ensuring CCT is brought to order, will be assigned to a respected retired judge or senior advocate with support from experts in labour relations and higher education governance.
The team is expected to begin its work within seven days and conclude within 45 days.
During this period, all new disciplinary processes involving CCT’s principal, the council chairperson, and the deputy principals will be suspended to prevent further escalation.
The intervention follows persistent tensions among senior managers, resulting in weak governance, low staff morale, and disruptions to academic programmes.
Committee spokesperson, Tebogo Letsie welcomed the department’s interventions under Section 46 of the Continuing Education and Training Act, 16 of 2006.
During the committee meeting, members said they were alarmed by CCT’s challenges, after it was revealed that divisions within management escalated after the appointment of the principal, sparking a prolonged power struggle.
“The ongoing instability at CCT cannot be allowed to compromise the academic success of students,” said Letsie.
The director-general of the DHET, Nkosinathi Sishi, clarified that the principal is facing 21 charges, not 300 as alleged.
“We welcome the decisiveness on this matter, as it was evident that the principal regarded this institution as his own until we called him to order. Such attitudes have no place in government institutions that are funded by the taxpayers of this country,” Letsie said.
Manamela said his department will report back to the committee within two months on the progress and outcomes of the stabilisation team.
“As the committee we are hopeful that the Minister will remain firm in his decision and report back within two months on the progress and outcomes of the stabilisation team, as promised”, Letsie said.
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