Independent Assessor Appointed to Investigate Governance at University of Venda

Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has appointed Professor Norman Duncan as an Independent Assessor to investigate governance and management matters at the University of Venda (UNIVEN), under sections 44 and 47 of the Higher Education Act. The appointment was published in the Government Gazette on 11 August 2026.

This is the opening of a formal investigation, not a finding of wrongdoing. Professor Duncan — a former Vice-Principal: Academic at the University of Pretoria — has been asked to examine council processes, litigation, the relationship between UNIVEN’s executive and council, fiduciary duties, and certain financial decisions. He must report his findings within 90 days of the Gazette notice, roughly by early November 2026, and must conduct the investigation in line with the Higher Education Act, the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, and the principles of procedural fairness.

Background

The appointment follows what the Department has described as sustained engagement with the university over ongoing governance and administrative challenges, with concerns first raised publicly around mid-July 2026.

What this means for current students

An assessor’s appointment is a governance and oversight process — it does not, on its own, mean classes, registration, or graduations are affected. We have not yet seen an official statement from UNIVEN to students confirming whether day-to-day academic operations are impacted, and will update this article once one is available.

Official Source