HIGHER Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande is still mum about the Pretoria High Court's decision.
On Wednesday, 1 November, the court ruled that his decision to put Unisa under administration was unconstitutional.
Nzimande relied on the recommendation of independent assessor Professor Themba Mosia and the report of a ministerial task team headed by Vincent Maphai.
The university filed an urgent application to interdict the minister's decision.
Unisa spokeswoman Nolwazi Mwabi said the university’s decision to take the matter to court was not meant to fight the minister, but it was merely doing its job to protect the institution.
ALSO READ: Kids fall pregnant before first period
"The university believes that this court decision is sound and correct, given that the matter pertaining to the review of the Independent Assessor Report is still before the court and yet to be concluded,” she said.
Mwabi said the institution acted to prevent an unnecessary disruption to the institution.
Mosia’s report had found various issues, including the abuse of funds and maladministration.
On 27 August, Nzimande signed a gazette appointing Professor Ihron Rensburg as the administrator of the university.
The court ordered Nzimande to reverse his decision to appoint an administrator to run the affairs of the troubled Unisa.
Acting judge Andre le Grange ruled that: “The minister’s decision published in the government gazette number 49582 Vol 700 dated 27 October 2023 is in breach of the order granted on 24 August 2023 by honourable [Judge] Adams J and unlawful,”
He was also ordered to retract the gazette.
