Investigations are currently in progress at numerous higher education institutions, while others are having their affairs closely monitored. Mismanagement, maladministration, multiple assassination attempts on university officials, student safety and corruption are just some of the challenges plaguing South Africa's tertiary education sector.
One of the institutions being monitored by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
Reports are also being conducted into the affairs of other prominent South African universities, including the University of Cape Town (UCT), the University of Fort Hare (UFH) and most notoriously, the University of South Africa (Unisa).
While the state of governance at UKZN currently remains stable, the institution has been rocked by scandal in recent months. This scandal involves allegations of corruption surrounding private accommodation.
In January of this year, the issue of individuals falsely promising landlords and property owners student residences’ contracts for the 2023 academic year in exchange for money was brought to light by the institution.
Reports into the situation revealed that University community members and students were responsible for these private accommodation scams.
By March of this year, further financial scandals were exposed. A Westville police investigation uncovered a network of UKZN staff members and former student leaders who allegedly extorted as much as R80 million from private accommodation providers during these scams.
A total of six people were arrested in connection with these crimes. This includes three university staff members, two former Student Representative Council (SRC) presidents and one SRC member based at the Howard College campus.
This scheme is believed to have been operating for years. Police investigations are ongoing and court hearings are underway.
