Minister Blade Nzimande dismisses false information that 2024 university fees will be increased
11 January 2024
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Prof Blade Nzimande has become aware of the circulation of false and ill-informed suggestions that he as Minister, intends to increase university fees for the 2024 academic year.
As the Department of Higher Education and Training, we wish to remind the public that the Minister plays absolutely no role in determining the fees of universities.
In accordance with the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997, the authority to determine the fees of individual universities rests with University Councils.
Therefore, the Minister has no such authority to determine the individual fees of universities and to do so, would be to act ultra vires (beyond his powers) on the part of the Minister.