Deputy Speaker, the Department of Higher Education and Training has a crucial role to play in providing employable candidates for the job market. In this regard, the management and governance of higher education and training institutions are of the utmost importance.
The problems faced at a number of these institutions, such as the Central University of Technology, CUT; the Vaal University of Technology, VUT; the Tshwane University of Technology, TUT; Walter Sisulu University; and the University of KwaZulu-Natal are an indication that higher education is not functioning at the level it should be.
The allegations of financial mismanagement, racism and nepotism at the University of KwaZulu-Natal are shocking to say the least. This is a university that was considered to be one of the best, in particular its medical faculty.
Although the Minister of Higher Education and Training has reacted by stating that the university council should look into the matter, this is not going to solve the problem. The fact of the matter is that this council has done nothing in the past few years since these allegations and complaints have been surfacing to deal with them. The Minister should know by now, given the experience at the CUT, that councils and vice-chancellors often protect each other. This was also clear from the reports of the independent assessors regarding CUT and VUT.
The councils at these universities do not fulfil their governance and fiduciary responsibilities in the interests of the university and the community, and are in many instances a central part of the problem.
The Minister should not wait until there is a total collapse at the university before he acts. The proper thing to do now is to appoint an independent assessor. [Time expired.]