Higher education and training minister Buti Manamela
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / IOL
The government has stepped in to take over the running of the College of Cape Town after a report highlighted “serious failures” at the institution.
Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has appointed an administrator, Dr Robert Nkuna, to take control of the college following the release of a final report by a Stabilisation and Governance Support Team sent to assess its affairs.
The college is a public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution with multiple campuses across the metro.
The team found a string of issues, including weak oversight, human resource concerns, and risks to teaching and learning. It also identified evidence of serious financial and administrative shortcomings, which, according to the report, had undermined the college’s governance structures.
Manamela's spokesperson, Matshepo Seedat, said on Wednesday: "The minister has concluded his consideration of the final report of the Stabilisation and Governance Support Team appointed to assess the affairs of the College of Cape Town.
After affording the college council an opportunity to study the report and submit written representations, and having duly considered those submissions, the minister has accepted the findings and recommendations of the team."
Seedat added that, under section 46 of the Continuing Education and Training Act, 2006, Manamela decided that intervention was necessary to stabilise the institution.
"Accordingly, the minister has appointed Nkuna as administrator of the College of Cape Town, with effect from the date of publication of the appointment in the Government Gazette. The appointment is time-bound and will endure for a period not exceeding two years, or until a duly constituted council is established."
During this period, the administrator will assume the governance functions of council and focus on:
Stabilising governance and management;
Ensuring compliance with court orders and statutory prescripts;
Implementing key recommendations arising from oversight and audit processes; and
Safeguarding teaching, learning, and student wellbeing.
In recent months, the college has been at the centre of controversy over how it was being run. Concerns were raised about leadership decisions, internal disputes, and alleged financial mismanagement, which were discussed in Parliament and prompted the appointment of the investigation team.
The college's CEO, Mhangarai Muswaba, was recently dismissed following allegations in the report that he had "assaulted staff and awarded a R46m contract irregularly."
IOL