THE Public Protector of South Africa, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, has uncovered serious governance failures at Unisa, revealing the irregular appointment of a retired employee to a high-paying security manager position.
Image: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers
THE Public Protector of South Africa, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, has uncovered serious governance failures at Unisa, revealing the irregular appointment of a retired employee to a high-paying security manager position.
This investigation raises significant questions about the university's hiring practices and accountability
The damning report concluded that the appointment of Johannes Peu Matlala, who was already past retirement age, was unlawfully approved by Operations and Facilities Vice-Principal Matsiababa Motebele, who bypassed institutional checks and balances.
Motebele failed to fully adhere to the procedures for appointing contract employees, fixed-term contractors, temporary employment service workers, and independent contractors.
The complaint was lodged on May 23, 2024, by the Freedom Front Plus’s Advocate Anton Alberts, on behalf of a whistle-blower (the complainant).
The complainant alleged that Matlala was appointed in early January after he had reached the age of 65 (in March 2023). The functionaries of Unisa appointed him with effect from January 1, 2024, until December 31, 2024.
The complainant also highlighted that Matlala, who earns approximately R1.4 million annually, might be less qualified than other departmental members, holding only a Grade A security certificate for a P6 position that typically requires an Honours degree.
According to an analysis, the reasons for appointing Matlala as recorded in the appointment memorandum are that there was an urgent need for the fixed-term contract to minimise any security breaches that might be encountered by Unisa and capacitate the security environment.
The Public Protector found that: “The allegation that Mr Matlala was irregularly appointed on a fixed-term contract to the position of Manager: Physical Security Gauteng, Protection Services, is substantiated.”
Motebele initiated and approved his own memorandum, which raises questions of impartiality and conflict of interest.
His dual role, namely initiator and sole approver, bypasses checks and balances, contravening s195(1)(a) and (b) of the Constitutional Principles of Professional Ethics and Impartial Public Administration and Clause 10.8 of the Unisa Delegations of Authority.
“The conduct of Mr Motebele in this regard constitutes improper conduct as envisaged in Section 182(1)(a) of the Constitution and maladministration, as well as improper conduct, as envisaged in Section 6(5)(b) of the Public Protector Act,” read the report, adding that Motebele failed to promote and maintain a high standard of professional ethics, accountability, and transparency as required by Section 195(1)(a)(f) and (g) of the Constitution during Matlala’s appointment.”
The report further said that: “Having considered the evidence obtained and the applicable legal framework, the Public Protector concludes that there was a governance and procedural shortcoming in the appointment of Mr Matlala on a fixed-term contract.”
It said that Unisa Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula and Motebele justified Matlala’s appointment. The reasons given were Matlala’s necessary experience and the need to safeguard multiple construction activities and assets at the Sunnyside Campus.
However, Gcaleka’s remedial action, issued on March 31, 2026, requires Prof LenkaBula to implement measures within 60 calendar days to ensure compliance with institutional prescripts and take corrective action against Motebele for non-compliance.
“The Public Protector has taken cognisance of the response from Prof LenkaBula that Unisa accepts the findings of the Public Protector and has already taken steps in compliance with the remedial action by implementing strengthened internal control measures and oversight mechanisms to ensure strict adherence to the institutional prescripts governing appointments.
“Unisa will also implement enhanced Human Resources compliance verification processes to ensure that all appointment requests are verified for compliance with the Delegations of Authority and applicable procedures prior to approval. Furthermore, Unisa will also strengthen internal governance controls to ensure proper segregation of duties and accountability within the appointment processes,” read the report.
It further states that Unisa’s human resources department has acknowledged that instances where the requester and the approver are the same person lead to potential governance risks. Accordingly, it has implemented procedural safeguards to prevent the processing of such memoranda in the future.
Reacting to the report, Unisa Institutional Advancement Executive Director and Spokesperson Professor Boitumelo Senokoane said: “Unisa confirms receiving the report. However, the university is still studying the report and shall apply its discretion after studying its contents.”