The controversy surrounding the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Sekhukhune campus has reached a boiling point, with the ANC in Sekhukhune threatening to take to the streets if the promised university campus is not built soon. 

The dispute centers around allegations that TUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Tinyiko Maluleke diverted the project from Sekhukhune to Giyani, sparking outrage among the local community.

In 2021, TUT signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Sekhukhune Royal Kingdom to establish a campus in the area, focusing on mining and agriculture. 

However, nearly five years later, the project remains stalled, with the community accusing Maluleke of hijacking the initiative and redirecting it to Giyani, allegedly his hometown. 

This alleged sabotage has led to widespread frustration and feelings of betrayal among the Bapedi nation of Sekhukhune in Limpopo.

ANC Sekhukhune Regional Secretary Tala Mathope warned that if the university campus is not built soon, the community will take to the streets in protest if their demands are not met.

“Build us the university campus that was promised or we will take to the streets,” Mathope demanded. 

He emphasised that the community believes the project has been hijacked and that someone somewhere has misdirected it to Giyani.

“We are not saying the Giyani university project should stop… We are saying that somebody, somewhere has misdirected the project that was supposed to come to Sekhukhune to Giyani. It was hijacked. This is an emotional issue,” Mathope said.

He appealed to the university, Limpopo premier Phophi Ramathuba, and the Ministry of Higher Education under the newly appointed minister Buti Manamela to act appropriately, or face street protests.

“We have taken offense that five years later there has still not been any action…This project was at an advanced stage and it suddenly stopped and the Giyani one started…We also want to know who is frustrating us,” Mathope asked.

“Build us the university campus that was promised,” Mathope said.

Newly-appointed Bapedi Nation Prime Minister Ngoako Ramathlodi weighed in with a more cautious approach to the matter saying the kingdom has been in talks with the university.

“We are aware that TUT commissioned a study to create a technical university given the minerals here…the study was concluded and an MOU is to be implemented.

“This happened during the late King Thulare’s funeral [where] even the president (Cyril Ramaphosa) announced that there would be a university in Sekhukhune.

“We have been in talks with the university…Protocols should be followed properly. We are engaging the university, then the education sector and maybe the president as a last resort. We have already raised the issue with the premier,” the former Limpopo premier said.

Bapedi Kingdom head of education, William Maphutha, has taken legal action against TUT, claiming that the university project was stolen by a sophisticated syndicate led by Maluleke. Maphutha confirmed that the community is mobilising to march to the Ministry of Higher Education in protest.

“The legal process has started, our lawyers are busy finalizing documents. We have a strong, watertight case and proof that the Sekhukhune TUT University project was stolen,” Maphutha said.

When the department was contacted they redirected inquiries to TUT, the institution’s spokesperson, Phaphama Tshisikhawe, who did not respond to the questions she received.

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za

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