University of Limpopo Under Fire for Misleading Parliament
The University of Limpopo (UL) is under intense scrutiny after the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Tebogo Letsie, accused the institution of deliberately disseminating false information regarding its compliance with a parliamentary summons.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Mr Tebogo Letsie, has strongly condemned the University of Limpopo (UL) for what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and Parliament by claiming compliance with a parliamentary summons.
Letsie’s response comes after a verification process through the Office of the Secretary to Parliament confirmed that no documentation had been received from the university, despite its public assertion to the contrary.
“The University of Limpopo has deliberately misled the public by asserting that it delivered the documents to the Office of the Secretary to Parliament,” said Mr Letsie.
“The Secretary has categorically denied this, confirming the university’s failure to comply.”
The committee chairperson stressed that the matter is not a personal clash with the institution but a fundamental issue of legal and constitutional responsibility.
“This is a question of constitutional compliance and institutional accountability. We will not be drawn into protracted processes of evasion,” he stated.
“Accordingly, we will reissue the summons, specifying in detail the information required, as we had anticipated potential resistance.”
ALSO READ : COSATU Limpopo and Communications Workers Union Call for SABC Probe
According to Letsie, the information requested from UL is vital for enabling effective parliamentary oversight and ensuring that institutions of higher learning uphold the principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability.
He warned that no university or institution will be allowed to operate outside the law or undermine the authority of Parliament.
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education wrote to the Minister of Higher Education calling for the appointment of an independent assessor at the University of Limpopo.
The committee’s decision follows a meeting on 20 November 2024, where the university appeared before the committee for a briefing on the university’s governance and related administrative matters.
During the meeting, the committee observed that the university’s Vice-Chancelor has transgressed the Institutional Statute by serving in his position longer than the term provided for.
“The attitude displayed by the VC and the Chairperson of the university Council when responding to questions from committee members was deeply concerning. The incumbents were evasive and arrogant in their responses.”
In addition, the committee noted the following matters:
- The university Council demonstrated no urgency in filling the VC position when the incumbent’s term was coming to an end. Instead, it irregularly extended the current VC’s tenure for two years until a suitable replacement was found.
- The Council failed to uphold and protect the Institutional Statute of the university by appointing the current Council Chairperson for more than legislated terms, thus transgressing the Statute of the University.
- The Council suspended one of its members without following due process.
- The Chairperson of the Institutional Forum occupied her position without a formal appointment.
- The Council rejected the nomination of one ministerial appointee without providing valid reasons.
- The university spent R14 million on legal fees during the 2023/24 financial year, a 100 percent increase from the R7 million it spent in 2022/23. Most of these legal fees were spent defending the university in cases brought by students and staff.
- Many allegations of abuse of power and victimisation were made against university management.
“It is with deep regret that we request the appointment of an independent assessor to the University of Limpopo,” said committee chairperson, Mr Tebogo Letsie.
“However, we cannot stand idly by while predominantly Black institutions are jeopardised by the actions of a few.”