The Times
*Nzimande wants to rein in universities* *Denise Williams, The Times, Johannesburg, 24 August, 2012 *Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande is considering changing the law to give him more power over the affairs of universities.
Briefing the media in parliament yesterday, Nzimande said a recent ruling by the Bloemfontein High Court, which overturned his decision to fire a vice-chancellor, could render legislation governing higher education obsolete.
Earlier this month Judge Johann Daffue ruled in favour of Free State's Central University of Technology, saying that Nzimande did not have the power to end the employment of vice-chancellor Thandwa Mthembu.
Judge Daffue ruled that it was "drastic" that Nzimande had appointed an administrator to oversee the university.
Nzimande said his department was studying the effect of the judgement with a view to amending the Higher Education Act to make it easier for his department to intervene in the affairs of universities, especially when the administration had collapsed.
Nzimande said the judge had erred in his ruling. He said his department would appeal.
"We are worried that this judgment is allowing universities to become a law unto themselves," he said.
Nzimande said the department would appeal on the grounds that the judge did not take an independent assessor's report into account when making his finding.
The university was placed under administration in June following allegations of financial mismanagement, abuse of power and victimisation of individuals.
The University of Zululand and the Tshwane University of Technology also operate under administration.
"We can't stand aside if something is not going well in our public institutions," said Nzimande.
*From: http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2012/08/24/nzimande-wants-to-rein-in-universities*
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