Professor Morojele's response to UKZN's media statement

Introduction I ACKNOWLEDGE the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) published response to my letter of 10 November 2025, which raised concerns about governance integrity within a public higher education institution.

- PROFESSOR PHOLOHO MOROJELE

As my letter made clear, my intention has never been to litigate personal matters in the media.

My purpose is, and remains, to affirm the principles of transparency, accountability, and ethical governance that must undergird public universities in a constitutional democracy.

UKZN’s reply situates my letter within the narrow parameters of an employer-employee dispute before the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). This framing is incorrect. The issues I raised concern the integrity of doctoral examination processes, the protection of a vulnerable student, and the proper stewardship of public resources. These are governance matters of national importance, not private labour issues.

Public universities are accountable to the public. It is therefore appropriate, indeed necessary, to address UKZN’s statement and clarify the governance concerns that have been placed before the public record.

UKZN’s public engagement v CCMA processes

In its published statement, UKZN expresses “regret” that I elected to write publicly while a CCMA process is ongoing. This position rests on several incorrect assumptions. The issues raised are governance concerns, not labour grievances.

UKZN’s response conflates two distinct matters:

1. A labour dispute, which is confined to the CCMA, and

2. Governance failures, which implicate the integrity of doctoral examinations, Senate processes, and financial stewardship.

The latter cannot be adjudicated by the CCMA; nor can they be contained within its procedural boundaries. Governance concerns belong in the public domain, and in oversight structures such as Parliament, Council, and the national higher education system.

Universities are accountable to the public, not only to tribunals