Parliament, Wednesday, 26 August 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has heard that universities are not fully compliant with South Africa’s labour laws when employing foreign nationals.
The committee today met with the SIU, the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Higher Education and Training on the issuance of study and work permits to foreign nationals and the measures in place to ensure compliance with relevant legislation
According to statistics presented by the DEL for the professionally qualified population at universities in 2025, African senior managers accounted for 41.9 per cent and whites at 25.3 per cent. Meanwhile, Indians accounted for 10 percent, coloureds at 6.9 percent, and foreign nationals for 16 percent.
The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Tebogo Letsie, said: “We believe in internationalisation but there must be compliance with the country’s labour laws such as the Employment Services Act and the Employment Equity Act.”
Mr Letsie stressed that the engagement was not an attack on foreign academics, but rather to strengthen the post-school education and training system while there is compliance with policies governing post-school education sector.
“We will follow the correct procedures and channels to request a special proclamation through the Speaker of the National Assembly to write to the President of the country to issue a special proclamation specifically looking at the appointment of foreign nationals during the last seven-year period”.
Mr Letsie recommended that the Department of Labour must enforce compliance with South Africa’s employment laws and prosecute where it finds non-compliance with labour laws any institution in the post-school education system
On student accommodation, Mr Letsie said the committee has always supported the inclusion of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme to play a role in the accreditation process. Mr Letsie said student accommodation has become a commodity and seen as a goldmine by certain unscrupulous people.
“Student accommodation is not only necessary, it is also an area in which universities play a significant role. The committee is aware that some universities claim payments for students placed in certain residences, including instances where the state pays for accommodation even when students are no longer staying there,” said Mr Letsie.
The committee also commended the Special Investigating Unit and the Public Protector for investigating allegations of maladministration, corruption and other wrongdoing at institutions within the Department of Higher Education and Training portfolio.
Lastly, Mr Letsie said there was a need for a deeper investigation into persistent problems concerning funding intended to assist students with accommodation and that the upcoming colloquium could help the sector find solutions.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING, MR TEBOGO LETSIE.
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