9 September 2025
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) remains gravely concerned about the ongoing governance and management failures at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). Despite repeated interventions and extensive media coverage, maladministration, collusion, intimidation of staff, and wasteful expenditure continue to destabilise the institution, erode morale, and undermine public trust in higher education.
As an update, FEDUSA wishes to share the following developments:
DUT Council Must Engage Labour
FEDUSA has formally written to the DUT Council, urging it to recognise and engage labour as a legitimate and critical stakeholder in addressing the deep-seated institutional crises. Staff morale has collapsed due to persistent maladministration, intimidation, and unilateral changes to conditions of service without due process. Under Council’s watch, policies have been amended without consultation, further entrenching mistrust and resentment.
To date, DUT Council has failed to meaningfully engage with labour. Even the Minister of Higher Education, in his latest communication, has affirmed the importance of engaging labour in finding solutions to the challenges confronting higher education institutions. FEDUSA insists that lasting solutions must be inclusive and must centre the voices of workers who bear the brunt of mismanagement.
Wasteful Expenditure and Abusive Litigation
FEDUSA has consistently raised alarm over DUT’s wasteful expenditure, particularly its abuse of litigation processes against staff and students. Recent court rulings in favour of staff clearly reveal that the institution continues to spend millions on frivolous and unsustainable legal battles, often with no reasonable prospects of success. These judgments underscore the disturbing pattern of management pursuing personal agendas with public funds.
The reinstatement of unlawfully dismissed staff has cost the university millions of rands, further exacerbating its financial instability. No consequence management has been applied to decision-makers who authorised these reckless litigations. The university’s modus operandi of employing costly, highprofile law firms to prolong disputes—hoping staff will abandon their claims—amounts to an abuse of power and a gross injustice to workers. This must stop.
Infighting Between Council and Management
The recent case of Durban University of Technology v Professor Thandwa Zizwe Mthembu (Case No. D462/2024) has further exposed the dysfunction within DUT’s governance structures. In this matter, Council took its own Management to the Labour Court, resulting in the university having to bear the costs for both sides of litigation. Acting Judge T. Khuzwayo found the Registrar—Secretary to Council—to be untruthful and unhelpful, with submissions that supported management against Council.
This ruling highlights the depth of mistrust, ethical collapse, and lack of good governance within the institution. Such dysfunction cannot be allowed to persist in a public institution funded by the people of South Africa.
Media Coverage and Ministerial Intervention
FEDUSA welcomes the widespread media attention that has shed light on DUT’s governance failures, validating long-standing concerns raised by FEDUSA and its affiliate, the Tertiary Education National Union of South Africa (TENUSA). Importantly, we acknowledge the intervention by the Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela, who met with TENUSA on 25 August 2025 to discuss solutions. We view this as a direct response to sustained calls by FEDUSA for ministerial action.
Commendation of TENUSA
FEDUSA commends its affiliate, TENUSA, for its unwavering commitment to justice, fairness, and the protection of staff at DUT. We celebrate TENUSA’s growth into the largest union at DUT and applaud its principled leadership in defending workers’ rights under very difficult conditions.
Conclusion
FEDUSA reiterates its call for urgent intervention to restore transparency, accountability, and ethical governance at DUT. The Minister must move swiftly to address governance failures, protect staff and students, and restore confidence in the institution. Higher education institutions must embody the values of integrity, fairness, and inclusivity—principles that DUT’s current management has consistently violated.
FEDUSA remains resolute in standing with its affiliate TENUSA and all staff at DUT until these injustices are ended.
END.