Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has given the council of the University of Venda in Limpopo 14 days to make a representation regarding his intention to appoint an independent assessor at the institution.
If appointed, they will investigate allegations of corruption against the suspended vice-chancellor and principal, Dr Bernard Nthambeleni and chief operating officer Lonwabo Botwe.
The university council suspended Nthambeleni and Botwe last week.
The Minister’s spokesperson, Matshepo Seedat, says if the university council fails to make representation within the stipulated time, the Minister is empowered to appoint an independent assessor to investigate the allegations.
“In light of the seriousness of the situation, and in order to prevent any further deterioration of governance at the institution, the Minister used a governance instrument available to him under section 44(1) of the Higher Education Act, by notifying the university council of his intention to appoint an independent assessor at the university.”
“Should the independent assessor be appointed, they will investigate, among other things, the various allegations levelled against the vice-chancellor and principal, the current state of governance at the university as well as the functioning and effectiveness of the university’s governance and executive management structures,” says Seedat.
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) at the University wants a private forensic investigator to be appointed.
Nehawu branch secretary Ambros Mogashoa says allegations were first raised in 2025 and resurfaced this year.
“I forwarded the allegations to the university management to deal with them at that time and nothing happened. The minister also came; the higher portfolio committee also came last year in 2025 in that sitting also raised that there were issues that were brought to my office which were sent to the university management to deal with and nothing has happened. So in 2026, those allegations resurfaced again,” says Mogashoa.
Meanwhile, the university says it wants the ongoing investigations to be concluded without delay.
The university’s spokesperson, Dr Takalani Dzaga, says the two were suspended for alleged financial mismanagement and nepotism.
“The University of Venda council had its meeting held on the 16th of July 2026, [and] took a decision to place the University Vice Chancellor and Principal and the Chief Operating Officer on precautionary suspension pending investigation following the receipt of allegations through an anonymous letter. The letter was shared with the University of Venda council and council would like to ensure that this process is concluded within a very short space of time,” explains Dzaga. -Reporting by Avhapfani Munyai
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