Implementation of the Committee’s recommendations following oversight visits at higher education institutions, with Deputy Minister

Video ATC251114: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education on its Oversight visit to The University of Fort Hare (UFH), Dated 12 November 2025 ATC251114: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education on Its Oversight visit to Kwazulu-Natal, Dated 12 November 2025 The Committee convened in Parliament to receive progress reports from the Department of Higher Education and Training on the implementation of recommendations arising from its week-long oversight visit to institutions in KwaZulu-Natal in October 2025, and to obtain an update on governance matters at the University of Fort Hare. The University Branch reported limited but measurable progress. At the University of Zululand, the Africa Complex residence had been decommissioned and maintenance undertaken during the holiday period. At the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the contractor responsible for the abandoned 100-bed residence project had been terminated; however, prospects for financial recovery were constrained by prescription risks. Senior counsel had advised that litigation in relation to the Oval Residence matter carried weak prospects of success. At the University of Fort Hare, structural repairs had been completed, a successful SRC election had been conducted, and the institutional Recovery Plan was reported to be on schedule. No substantive update was provided regarding the Durban University of Technology, beyond an indication that the Department remained engaged with the institution. The TVET Branch reported that written submissions and supporting documentation on uMfolozi TVET College and Elangeni TVET College had been furnished to the Secretariat. It confirmed that disciplinary and criminal proceedings were underway at Elangeni in relation to ghost employees and associated financial irregularities, and that infrastructure and student accommodation procurement processes had been reinitiated. The CET Branch advised that a targeted support plan for the KwaZulu-Natal CET College’s fin