Mapaballo Borotho
- The Higher Education Minister has issued a notice of intent to cancel the registration of City Varsity, Damelin and ICESA City Campus over ongoing non-compliance.
- The decision follows failures to submit statutory reports, prove financial sustainability and, in some cases, evidence that institutions have ceased operating.
- The department says affected students will be supported while the legal process unfolds.
Students enrolled at City Varsity, Damelin and ICESA City Campus could face uncertainty in the 2026 academic year after the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, issued a notice of intent to cancel the registration of the three private institutions.
The move follows a prolonged pattern of non-compliance with the Higher Education Act (No. 101 of 1997) and the Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions.
The minister says the decision is aimed at protecting students and safeguarding the integrity of the higher education sector.
“The Department has an obligation to ensure that private institutions deliver quality education and demonstrate financial sustainability,” Manamela said.
According to the Department of Higher Education and Training, the decision is based on several critical factors, including the failure by all three institutions to submit their 2024 statutory annual reports, despite an extension granted until 30 June 2024 and a final remedial deadline of 6 June 2025.
The institutions also failed to demonstrate financial and operational sustainability, with outstanding documentation such as audited annual financial statements, proof of financial guarantees, SARS tax compliance certificates and occupational health and safety compliance records.
In addition, the department has received confirmation that City Varsity and ICESA City Campus have ceased operations and are no longer providing higher education as defined by the Act.
The notice of intent to cancel the registrations will be published in the Government Gazette in line with Section 63(a) of the Higher Education Act.
The affected institutions will be given an opportunity to make representations, while the department says measures will be put in place to support affected students through appropriate academic and administrative arrangements.
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