Unisa to challenge Nzimande’s decision to place it under administration

Lerato Mbhiza

Unisa has approached the courts on an urgent basis to challenge Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande’s appointment of Professor Ihron Rensburg as the administrator of the institution after Nzimande dissolved the Unisa council.

In a statement, Unisa said the university remains firm on the view that Nzimande’s announcement in a Government Gazette dated 27 October wherein he published the appointment of the administrator, was in contempt of a court order issued on 6 October 2023.

Nzimande said his appointment of the administrator was in line with Section 49B of the Higher Education Act (Act 101 of 19917, as amended. 

However, Unisa has contended that the Minister’s actions were premature; the matter had not been finalised and was still before the court.

“The university remains firm on the view that the Minister’s announcement is premature and in contempt of the court order of 6 October 2023