Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will ask Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training to launch an urgent inquiry into the deepening corruption and governance collapse at Walter Sisulu University (WSU).
The Committee must summon both the WSU Council and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to explain what is being done to address the disturbing allegations emerging from the Jafta Commission of Inquiry and to outline concrete steps to restore stability and safety across WSU’s campuses.
Futhermore, the whistle-blowers who have come forward must be protected, and Parliament must receive the full Jafta Commission report once finalised, so that its findings can be properly scrutinised and referred to law enforcement where necessary.
These calls come after serious allegations were made under oath before the Jafta Commission by Sibusiso Ngubane, CEO of Ka-myaluza Security (KMS). Ngubane accused at least six senior university officials of demanding kickbacks, vehicles, and land in exchange for securing or retaining lucrative security contracts. He claimed that when he refused, his company was unfairly removed from a R51 million tender to provide security services at the Butterworth campus.
If proven true, these allegations represent clear breaches of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and possible criminal conduct by senior WSU officials.
The Jafta Commission, led by retired Constitutional Court Judge Chris Jafta, was established to investigate governance failures, corruption, and violence following the fatal shooting of student Sisonke Mbolekwa during campus protests.
Several other students were also injured, including one allegedly shot by a KMS commander. The Commission has already heard from 38 witnesses and is finalising its report for submission to the WSU Council.
This scandal is unfolding against a backdrop of ongoing turmoil at WSU. Earlier this year, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr Sinethemba Mpambane was shot dead near the Mthatha campus, and repeated violent incidents have raised alarm about the state of governance, ethics, and safety at the institution.
Walter Sisulu University has long faced unrest, mismanagement, and instability. The latest claims show just how urgent it is to reform leadership and oversight.
Regards
Dr Delmaine Christians MP.
DA Spokesperson on Higher Education & Training