Tebogo Letsie, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, has raised concerns over the issuing of study and work permits to foreign nationals.
Image: Parliament RSA/Supplied
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has called for a seven-year probe into the appointment of foreign nationals at universities, amid concerns that institutions are not fully complying with South Africa’s labour laws.
The committee raised the concerns during a meeting with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Higher Education and Training on the issuing of study and work permits to foreign nationals and measures to ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
According to statistics presented by the Labour Department, foreign nationals accounted for 16% of the professionally qualified senior management population at universities in 2025.
African senior managers accounted for 41.9%, while white senior managers made up 25.3%. Indian senior managers accounted for 10% and Coloured senior managers for 6.9%.
Committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie said they supported internationalisation but insisted that universities comply with the country’s labour laws, such as the Employment Services Act and the Employment Equity Act.”
Letsie stressed that the engagement was not an attack on foreign academics, but was aimed at strengthening the post-school education and training system while ensuring compliance with policies governing the sector.
“We will follow the correct procedures and channels to request a special proclamation through the Speaker of the National Assembly to write to the President of the country to issue a special proclamation specifically looking at the appointment of foreign nationals during the last seven-year period.”
Letsie also recommended that the Department of Employment and Labour enforce South Africa’s employment laws and prosecute institutions in the post-school education system where non-compliance was found.
The committee also raised concerns over student accommodation and the funding provided for students.
Letsie said the committee had consistently supported the inclusion of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in the accreditation process for student accommodation.
Accommodation had become a commodity and a “goldmine” for certain unscrupulous individuals.
“Student accommodation is not only necessary, it is also an area in which universities play a significant role.
''The committee is aware that some universities claim payments for students placed in certain residences, including instances where the state pays for accommodation even when students are no longer staying there,” Letsie said.
The committee also commended the SIU and the Public Protector for investigating allegations of maladministration, corruption and other wrongdoing at institutions within the Higher Education and Training portfolio.
Letsie said deeper investigations were needed into persistent problems involving funding intended to assist students with accommodation.
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