Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Nobuhle Nkabane listening to the SRC members, Siphelele Msibi and Nhlakanipho Dlamini during the Minister's walkabout at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Westville campus on Thursday. Picture: Tumi Pakkies Independent Newspapers.
In a major policy shift, Minister of Higher Education and Training, Nobuhle Nkabane, has announced that the management of student accommodation will be transferred back to universities.
The decision follows widespread complaints about safety, corruption, and substandard living conditions in private student residences.
"I'm receiving a number of complaints about the learning and living environment. Safety issues, gender-based violence, and students exchanging accommodation for sex, this is unacceptable.
“I have instructed the department to see how best we can transfer the responsibility of managing student accommodation back to universities because the current system is failing," Nkabane said during her visit to the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Concerns over safety and gender-based violence in student accommodations have been mounting. NSFAS Administrator Freeman Nomvalo condemned such incidents, calling for greater accountability.
"We strongly condemn gender-based violence and urge students to report incidents through their leaders so that we can investigate and assist in prosecution. We are working with Higher Health to provide support for affected students so they can recover and focus on their studies," he said.
Sam Zungu, Deputy Director-General for TVET Colleges, confirmed that investigations were under way into reports of students being asked for sexual favours in exchange for housing.
"It is deeply unfortunate that people entrusted with student welfare engage in such misconduct. This reflects broader societal challenges, not just within institutions but across communities. If the allegations are confirmed, we will take action, including blacklisting the implicated service providers," Zungu said.
NSFAS has also faced scrutiny over its accommodation accreditation process, with allegations of corruption surfacing.
"We’ve got 39 companies to do this accreditation, and there are allegations of backhands, a facility that doesn’t meet requirements being graded higher than a facility that meets the standards because of alleged payments," said Nomvalo.
To address this, the department will launch an inspection programme in 2025, involving Student Representative Council (SRC) members from each institution.
"These are the facilities that do not meet the standard; we inspect them and then take action to remedy the situation," Nomvalo explained.
Beyond corruption, students have also faced financial exploitation from accommodation providers. NSFAS reiterated that students under its funding scheme should not be required to pay deposits.
The issue of university protests also came under discussion. The department addressed disruptions at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), where “criminal elements” have reportedly infiltrated student protests.
"We have learned that there are some criminal elements involved, threatening and intimidating students and staff, which is why the university opted to transition to online learning. We encourage DUT to collaborate closely with the police," said Dr Macia Socikwa, the Deputy Director General for university education.
Universities South Africa (USAf) urged students to engage in dialogue rather than disruptive protests.
"While the students’ grievances are legitimate, we reiterate what we’ve said before: that these issues are being presented to the wrong role players. Universities are not the primary source of student funding and so, they are in no position to settle outstanding fees or the amounts due or overdue from NSFAS," USAf said.