Parliament, Thursday, 27 March 2025 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Mr Tebogo Letsie, has welcomed the court decision ordering the University of Limpopo (UL) to pay legal fees of two Master’s students it de-registered.
Ms Philisiwe Cele and Ms Ntando Mnguni pursued master’s degrees in information studies at the university. However, the institution deregistered them in 2023 after they had submitted their final dissertations for graduation. The university claimed the students had failed to meet admission requirements and recommended that they should be considered for recognition of prior learning instead.
Mr Letsie said, “For an academic institution to make such a mind-boggling, illogical decision, one that disregards both due process and the students’ dedication, was deeply troubling. We are pleased the court has compelled UL to rectify this injustice by covering the students’ legal fees and awarding their hard-earned qualifications,” stated Mr Letsie. The university’s actions terminating the conferral of the two students’ qualification reflects profound aloofness and institutional arrogance, added Mr Letsie.
During committee meetings and oversight, the committee has raised concerns about resource mismanagement in the higher education sector on numerous occasions. “Our committee has repeatedly urged institutions to prioritise funding for core stakeholders rather than wasteful legal battles. This case exemplifies why such practices must end,” Mr Letsie said.
This verdict is a victory not only for these students but for the principle that institutions must act lawfully, ethically and in service of their primary mission, which is education, he added.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, MR TEBOGO LETSIE.
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