UL threatens legal action against MP over defamatory claims
The University of Limpopo demands MP Tebogo Letsie retract allegations of mismanagement and corruption or face possible legal action.
POLOKWANE – The University of Limpopo (UL) has issued a cease and desist letter to the chairperson of parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education, Tebogo Letsie, over statements the university says are defamatory and baseless.
In a letter dated April 30, Anton Baker Attorneys, acting on behalf of UL, called on Letsie to retract comments made during recent media interviews and to desist from making further remarks about the university or its council without supporting evidence.
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Letsie, in separate interviews, accused UL of failing to apply the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), extending the vice-chancellor’s term without due process, and employing multiple legal firms to launder money.
He also alleged that the university was intentionally blocking students from graduating and expressed concern about UL’s legal expenditure, which allegedly doubled to R14m in the past financial year due to legal disputes with students and staff.
The university has rejected the claims, labelling them as unfounded and damaging. The letter of demand further warns that failure to apologise could result in legal action.
Letsie, however, stood by his remarks. “These people do not understand the NQF articulation. If they did, they would not have prevented students from graduating. The court set aside their decision to deregister students,” he said.
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UL spokesperson Victor Kgomoeswana countered Letsie’s assertions, stating that parliamentary information requests must comply with existing legislation, including the Constitution, the Higher Education Act and the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act. Tensions between UL and Parliament has been escalating.
On March 28, UL was served a parliamentary summons demanding submission of documentation relating to various concerns.
Letsie alleges the university ignored the summons, providing no response by the stated deadlines.
Kgomoeswana disputed this, referencing a lawyer’s letter dated April 4, which was addressed to parliamentary secretary Xolile George.
In it, UL argued the summons was unlawful and constituted abuse.
Further complicating the dispute, Kgomoeswana noted that the Department of Higher Education and Training met with UL on February 12, during which it was agreed that the university council was managing affairs appropriately.
