Pretoria: The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has formally announced an intention to cancel the registration of three private higher education institutions: City Varsity, Damelin, and ICESA City Campus. This decision stems from concerns regarding their adherence to legal and educational obligations, which is seen as crucial for safeguarding the futures of students.

According to South African Government News Agency, the Ministry emphasized that the move aims to protect students and maintain the integrity of the educational sector. The action follows a consistent pattern of non-compliance with the Higher Education Act and related regulations. The Ministry plans to publish the Notice of Intent to cancel these registrations in the Government Gazette, aligning with legal requirements. The institutions in question will have the opportunity to present their case during this process, and the Department is committed to supporting students academically and administratively.

The Ministry highlighted its responsibility to ensure that private institutions deliver quality education and are financially sustainable. The decision to proceed with deregistration is based on several critical issues: none of the three institutions submitted their required 2024 Annual Reports, despite an extension to June 2024 and a final deadline in June 2025. Furthermore, they failed to provide essential documents such as audited financial statements, financial sureties, tax compliance certificates, and occupational health and safety compliance.

The Department also confirmed that City Varsity (Pty) Ltd and ICESA City Campus (Pty) Ltd have ceased operations, thus no longer fulfilling their educational roles as defined by the Act. The Ministry’s unwavering commitment is to protect students from enrolling in unsustainable institutions, ensure compliance with legal and quality standards, and uphold the integrity of South Africa’s higher education system.