The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has in place a Minimum Norms and Standards policy to accredit private off-campus student accommodation which ensures that tertiary students have access to an acceptable standard of living needed to achieve academic success.
Universities are given the responsibility of accrediting the private student accommodation, however there have been issues which involve universities not complying with the standards during the accreditation process.
When the 2023 academic year commenced at higher education institutions the DHET says it did not receive many complaints alleging unfair practices in the accreditation of private student accommodation.
They say that in previous cases that were reported, there was no proof or any tangible information provided so the department was unable to investigate the allegations.
A Member of the National Assembly from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Mothusi Montwedi asked the department whether measures have been put in place to ensure that there is no corruption taking place in the accreditation of student accommodation in the higher education sector.
The DHET said that it received a letter in late February describing events which involved alleged discrimination, victimization, denial of work, refusal of payments and misrepresentation of facts by a university in its process for the accreditation of private student accommodation.
According to the department all of these allegations are being looked into and they have requested the University in question to provide a detailed report on the issues that were raised.
After they receive the report, the department plans to investigate further and put in place the appropriate measures to address the allegations.
