TUT Sekhukhune University Project Is Alleged To Have Been Sabotaged. The long-anticipated TUT Sekhukhune University Project has found itself mired in controversy, delays, and serious allegations of sabotage. What was once a celebrated initiative to bring higher education in mining and agriculture to the people of Sekhukhune in Limpopo has now become a topic of national concern. The very foundation of this university project is shaking as stakeholders raise their voices over unfulfilled promises and questionable administrative conduct. Here’s an in-depth look at the matter, the stakeholders involved, and the way forward.
A Vision for Rural Education Development
In May 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was officially signed between the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and the Bapedi Kingdom of Sekhukhune. The aim was ambitious and visionary: to establish a University of Mining and Agriculture under the TUT banner in the Sekhukhune region. The project promised to be a game-changer for the rural economy, aiming to provide thousands of students access to quality education closer to home.
However, four years later, there has been no physical development on the ground. This delay has raised red flags among stakeholders, including the founder of the Sekhukhune University Establishment Project, who has since made serious allegations of deliberate sabotage.
Allegations of Sabotage and Deliberate Obstruction
Mr. Maphutha, the founder and passionate advocate for the TUT Sekhukhune University Project, has publicly accused TUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Tinyiko Maluleke of deliberate sabotage. According to Maphutha, despite the completion of a fully-funded feasibility study, there has been a mysterious silence from the university’s top office.
He went further to allege that Professor Maluleke has covertly redirected the project away from Sekhukhune to Giyani, his hometown, without any formal announcement or consultation. This revelation, if true, undermines not just the educational prospects of the Sekhukhune region, but also public trust in academic institutions and national leadership.
The Role of the MOU: Disputed Claims
At the heart of the dispute is the interpretation of the Memorandum of Understanding. Maphutha has flatly rejected claims made by Professor Maluleke that the MOU does not specifically mention the Sekhukhune University project.
In his strongly worded open letter, Maphutha described these claims as “patently false” and accused Maluleke of misrepresenting public facts.
“Your public misrepresentation of the facts is equally troubling. You have claimed that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is silent on the Sekhukhune project — a claim that is patently false,” wrote Maphutha.
This call for clarity is not just a personal demand but a community-wide request. People from the Bapedi Kingdom and surrounding communities feel ignored and misled.
Timeline of Events and Delays
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| May 2021 | MOU signed between TUT and Bapedi Kingdom |
| 2021 | President Cyril Ramaphosa visits Sekhukhune and supports the university initiative during King Thulare III’s burial |
| 2022 | Completion of a fully-funded feasibility study |
| 2023–2024 | Continued delays and silence from TUT administration |
| 2025 | Accusations of project being redirected to Giyani |
Demand for Public Dialogue and Transparency
In an attempt to hold university leadership accountable, Maphutha has demanded a public debate or open dialogue to discuss the future of the TUT Sekhukhune University Project. Transparency is at the core of this demand. He believes that it is only through open engagement that the public can gain access to the facts and ensure the project remains on its original path.
“We demand a public debate or open dialogue to address the facts and ensure transparency,” Maphutha stated.
This call for transparency is echoed by many others who have waited patiently for the promised development to begin.
Political Implications and National Attention
The involvement of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who had previously endorsed the project during his 2021 visit to Sekhukhune, has added a layer of political pressure. Citizens now wonder whether this endorsement was merely symbolic or an actual commitment to transforming the rural educational landscape.
As a national leader, Ramaphosa’s silence on this matter could affect public trust and electoral support, especially in rural regions where access to education remains limited.
Why Sekhukhune Needs the University
The proposed University of Mining and Agriculture in Sekhukhune is not just a symbolic project—it holds strategic value for the region. Sekhukhune is rich in mineral resources and agricultural land, yet many young people are forced to migrate to cities for higher education.
Here are some of the potential benefits if the university is developed as planned:
| Benefits | Details |
|---|---|
| Local education access | Reduces cost and travel burden on rural students |
| Job creation | Academic and support staff hiring for local community |
| Skill development | Focused training in agriculture and mining |
| Economic upliftment | Catalyzes regional economic growth |
| Research opportunities | Localized research on soil, minerals, and agriculture |
Community Response and Feeling of Betrayal
The Bapedi Kingdom and broader Sekhukhune community feel deeply betrayed. Community leaders and civil society organizations have described the backtracking as a violation of trust. Many parents and students had already started preparing for a future with a local university, and now face renewed uncertainty.
The Dangers of Project Redirection
The alleged redirection of the project to Giyani—Professor Maluleke’s hometown—raises serious ethical questions. If true, this would not only be a breach of institutional responsibility but also a misuse of public resources and political goodwill.
Such actions risk setting a dangerous precedent where academic development is influenced by personal biases rather than objective need.
What Needs to Happen Next
For the sake of transparency, justice, and community development, the following actions are urgently needed:
- Public release of the full MOU: Let the public judge whether the agreement mentions Sekhukhune explicitly.
- Independent review: A third-party institution should assess the project’s status and investigate the allegations.
- Public forum or debate: TUT leadership must engage with the Sekhukhune community to answer pressing questions.
- Reaffirmation of commitment: The national government must publicly recommit to the TUT Sekhukhune University Project and clarify timelines.
- Regular updates: Provide scheduled updates to the public on the project’s milestones and obstacles.
Conclusion
The future of the TUT Sekhukhune University Project is more than just about buildings and lectures—it is about fulfilling a promise to a community that has long been overlooked. The delay and alleged sabotage of this critical project could rob thousands of young South Africans of life-changing opportunities.
