Court puts brakes on Nzimande plans to place UNISA under administration

The court granted the interdict on Friday.

It came a day after Nzimande served notice of his intention to place the University of South Africa (UNISA) under administration.

Nzimande’s move came amid concerns over governance at the country’s oldest university following claims of maladministration and tender fraud.

An independent report commissioned by the Department of Higher Education recommended the institution be placed under administration.

This came after an investigation revealed severe financial and maladministration issues undermining the institution's effective functioning.

In its ruling, the court said Nzimande’s notice of intention was in breach of an earlier order granted in August, which ordered the minister not to act on the recommendations of the report until two separate applications challenging it are finalised.

"It is declared that the Minister's Notice of Intention to Act dated 04 October 2023("the Notice") is in breach of the order of the above Honourable Court granted by Mr Justice Adams on 24 August 2024, and in particular order number 8; the Minister is ordered to withdraw the Notice forthwith upon the granting of this order; the Minister is ordered to immediately cease and desist from taking any steps to publish and implement the Notice or to take any steps of whatever nature to implement the Notice; the Minister is interdicted from taking any action in respect of his Notice; and REMSTRAD OFF 7 SOUTH AFRICA the Minister is ordered to pay the costs of the Applicant on an attorney and client scale,” the court said in its ruling.