Mismanagement and political interference trigger systemic collapse across South Africa’s premier higher education institutions

Mismanagement and political interference are driving a systemic collapse in South Africa's universities, with institutions like Fort Hare and UNISA in turmoil.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 19, 2026, 2:43 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Daily Investor

The Meticulous Erosion of Academic Institutions

The current state of South Africa’s higher education landscape is defined by a gradual but persistent decline, as mismanagement and political interference undermine the country’s largest universities. Dr. Sefoko Ramoshaba, a former manager at several prominent institutions, warns that the destruction of these entities is occurring piece by piece rather than through a single catastrophic event. According to Ramoshaba, the collapse is often facilitated by failed leadership at the executive management level, which allows for the infiltration of non-university actors, primarily politicians, into day-to-day operations. This systemic rot has manifested in poor governance and financial irregularities that threaten the long-term viability of the nation's knowledge economy.

Criminality and Turmoil on Historic Campuses

Several institutions have transitioned from centers of learning to what Ramoshaba describes as crime scenes and battlegrounds. The University of Fort Hare has recently emerged as a primary example of this volatility, marked by the suspension of Vice-Chancellor Sakhela Buhlungu on March 30, 2026. Buhlungu, who had previously spearheaded anti-corruption initiatives, was removed following a forensic report, though insiders suggest the move was a retaliatory strike by criminal networks resistant to his oversight. The atmosphere at such institutions has become increasingly violent, with reports of murders, assassination attempts, and general campus unrest creating an environment where academic pursuits are frequently sidelined by security concerns.

Governance Disputes Infect Elite Tier Universities

The crisis of leadership is not confined to historically disadvantaged institutions but has permeated South Africa’s elite academic tier. Governance challenges and internal disputes have been observed at the University of Cape Town and the University of South Africa (UNISA), where power struggles at the highest levels of management have led to institutional paralysis. Ramoshaba explains that dysfunction often occurs when Vice-Chancellors attempting to act as "corruption busters" meet resistance from entrenched criminal and business cartels. This friction results in high debt levels, plummeting staff morale, and frequent shutdowns, as executive management fails to maintain control over university resources and la...