Nzimande’s decision to place Unisa under administration described as regrettable

November 1, 2023 145

Political analyst, Dr Sam Koma, says the Minister of Higher Education’s decision to appoint an administrator at Unisa, despite a court interdict against this, borders on the attempt to undermine the authority of the judiciary.

Koma’s remarks come after the Pretoria High Court set aside Minister Blade Nzimande’s decision, ordering him to immediately reverse it.

The court order comes after the Minister announced at the weekend that the Department has appointed Professor Ihron Rensburg as Unisa’s administrator for the next two years.

Soon after that Unisa came out guns blazing, slamming the minister’s announcement as premature as the matter had not been finalised and was still before court.

Nzimande had placed the institution under administration following allegations of maladministration and corruption.

Koma describes the Minister’s move as regrettable.

Unisa says that it believes that the ruling by the High Court speaks to the fact that the Minster’s decision was in breach of previous court orders.

Unisa Director of Communications, Nolwazi Mwabi, says the institution welcomes the court’s decision.

Unisa welcomes court ruling setting aside the Minister’s decision to appoint an Administrator#Unisa 150 pic.twitter.com/LAdYy9on60

— Unisa (@unisa) November 1, 2023

The Department of Higher Education says Minister Blade Nzimande will study the ruling and decide on the next legal route to take.

Departmental spokesperson, Ishmael Mnisi, elaborates in the clip below.

BREAKING NEWS: Minister Nzimande has been ordered to immediately retract the unlawful appointment of Prof Rensburg as Unisa Administrator. pic.twitter.com/T9fm6y1V7q

— The Educator (@BothoFela) November 1, 2023

Education activist, Hendrick Makaneta, is meanwhile calling on Nzimande to find a way to mend relations with the management of Unisa. He has previously expressed concern over the acrimonious relationship the two parties seem to have with each other.

He believes the continued mudslinging will have a negative impact on students if it continues unabated.

“The ruling by the High Court presents a fresh opportunity for the Council and the Minister to go back to the drawing board. Mediation will certainly go a long way to resolve the existing differences between the Minister and the Council of UNISA” Makaneta says.

The terrain of higher education in general requires stability to function optimally. The mudslinging between the minister and the Council of UNISA should be urgently brought to an end, and one of the best ways to do that is through mediation,” he adds.

Written by: Nokwazi Qumbisa

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