The University of South Africa (Unisa) is committed to addressing the concerns of stakeholders and restoring trust in its governance structures after an independent report made damning findings and recommended that the intuition be placed under administration.
The independent report, chaired by Professor Themba Mosia indicated that Unisa’s management has failed to fulfil its mandate, highlighting the alleged misappropriation of millions of rands. possible involvement of staff in tender irregularities.
Alleged Corruption, widespread examination cheating, maladministration, tender irregularities and governance failures at Unisa were cited in Mosia’s report.
The university says the report is currently being evaluated by a legal team and relevant officials. They aim to provide a comprehensive response that addresses the report's findings and recommendations.
Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula says the intuition's management committee approved a plan submitted by the Departments of Quality Assurance and Enhancement for the development of an Improvement Plan (IP). This plan was submitted in June 2023.
The Improvement Plan outlines how Unisa plans to address the recommendations for quality improvement contained in the independent report. Once approved by the Council of Higher Education (CHE), UNISA will have one year to implement the necessary changes, policies, and plans, mitigate risks, and undertake other actions outlined in the audit report.
Unisa’s progress will be monitored closely by the Institutional Audits Committee of the Higher Education Quality Committee(HEQC). The university says the HEQC may conduct site visits if they deem it necessary to monitor the progress of the implementation of the report.
Minister Of Higher Education’s Response
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande says they need to consider the findings and recommendations of the Report, Unisa’s Council’s response to the report, as well the interests of Unisa as per the prescripts of the Higher Education Act.
Nzimande says they will intervene as soon as they consider Unisa’s response which is currently being processed by the legal team and relevant officials.
The minister indicated that support provided to Unisa’s management regained the concerns that were raised before the report being released over the past five years.
They believe this support has been crucial in addressing accreditation challenges, improving campus safety, and enhancing access to educational opportunities at Unisa. Additionally, the department intervened when student complaints were not adequately addressed, academic performance was declining, and earmarked grants were not being utilised effectively.
The Department supported Management with addressing accreditation challenges, providing requisite funding for key projects to enhance campus safety and access, and intervening when responses to student complaints were inadequate, throughputs were declining and the underspending of earmarked grants persisted, by engaging Management on corrective steps.
Why Was Unisa Investigated?
Higher Education Minister Nzimande ordered the investigation after receiving several complaints from concerned members of the Unisa community. Professor Themba Mosia was appointed to investigate the state of affairs at Unisa.
