South African Universities Face Systemic Risk of Institutional Capture

South Africa's higher education sector is grappling with a serious governance crisis, a phenomenon described as "institutional capture." This is not merely isolated incidents but a systemic risk where decision-making and resource allocation are manipulated for factional or private gain, rather than the public interest. Universities South Africa (USAf), representing the nation's 26 public universities, is urgently calling for a unified approach to address this pervasive issue.

Professor Francis Petersen, the chairperson of USAf, emphasizes that strengthening institutional governance is a core responsibility of the organization. He highlights the critical need to educate council members on the distinct roles of governance and management, ensuring they understand how to provide effective oversight. The line between these two functions must be clear: councils should focus on policy, strategy, risk, performance, and leadership appointments, while management handles daily operations. When this distinction blurs, universities become susceptible to external interference, whether political, reputational, or through procurement irregularities.

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Strengthening institutions is part of USAf’s role, including governance. We also need to help council members understand the difference between governance and management and how to exercise effective oversight.

The risks associated with poor governance are tangible and damaging. Petersen points to persistent attacks on executive leadership, often originating from political bodies like the parliamentary portfolio committee on higher education. While oversight is necessary, he cautions that when it bypasses due process or prematurely amplifies allegations, it severely harms universities. In the current environment, misinformation campaigns exacerbate reputational risks, rapidly spreading allegations and distorting public perception, thereby eroding institutional confidence before internal investigations can conclude. Petersen stresses that robust governance relies on disciplined procedures, including clear timelines, documented decisions, and communication that balances transparency with fairness. Inadequate induction for council members further exacerbates the problem, as even well-intentioned individuals may overstep their bounds without proper training. The unchecked escalation of dishonesty within institutions also weakens controls and erodes trust, as seen in the ongoing governance challenges at the University of Fort Hare and Mangosuthu University of Technology.

In response to these challenges, USAf hosted a governance webinar on March 23rd, titled "Institutional Governance: Confronting the Risks of Institutional Capture." This session, moderated by Professor Dr. Letticia Mmaseloadi Moja, aimed to translate the insights gained from a previous vice-chancellors' retreat into actionable programs. The goal is to embed these learnings into USAf's ongoing initiatives, ensuring that the fight against institutional capture is a sustained effort, not a one-off conversation. The urgency of this intervention is underscored by the ongoing struggles at institutions like the University of Fort Hare and Mangosuthu University of Technology.

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Oversight is legitimate but when it preempts due process or amplifies allegations prematurely, it damages universities.