Public Protector UNISA staff appointment sparks questions about fairness and need for tighter hiring checks
The University of South Africa (UNISA) is once again under the spotlight as the Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, recently found serious governance failures and maladministration regarding a
Key details of the public protector unisa staff appointment investigation
- Date of Public Protector’s Report: The findings were released around April 20-21, 2026.
- Key Person Appointed: Johannes Peu Matlala, who was re-appointed as the Manager: Physical Security Services (Gauteng, Protection Services) on a one-year fixed-term contract.
- Issue with Appointment: Matlala was rehired in January 2024, months after reaching UNISA’s mandatory retirement age of 65 (which he reached in March 2023). This re-appointment violated UNISA’s own employment conditions and policies, specifically Section H.2, which states contracts “will not be extended beyond the age 65”.
- Public Protector: Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, who is the current Public Protector of South Africa. She found the appointment to be procedurally flawed and amounted to maladministration.
- Person Implicated in Flawed Process: Matsiababa Motebele, UNISA’s Vice-Principal: Operations and Facilities. The report states that Motebele acted improperly by initiating and approving his own memorandum for Matlala’s appointment, effectively driving and signing off on the process himself. This raised questions of impartiality and conflict of interest.
- Origin of Complaint: The investigation was sparked by a whistle-blower complaint, lodged by Advocate Anton Alberts, a member of the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), in May 2024.
- Governance Failures Identified: The Public Protector’s report highlighted that basic recruitment steps were skipped, including not advertising the position, not shortlisting candidates, and not conducting proper interviews. Critical documentation, such as qualifications and approval signatures, were either incomplete or missing.
- UNISA’s Response: UNISA acknowledged receiving the report and stated they were studying its contents. The university has since accepted the findings and committed to tightening internal controls, enforcing stricter separation between those who initiate and approve appointments, and strengthening oversight within its human resources department.
- Remedial Action Ordered: Advocate Gcaleka has ordered UNISA’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, to take appropriate corrective action against Vice-Principal Motebele within 60 days for non-compliance. UNISA must also submit a formal action plan to the Public Protector within 30 days detailing the implementation of these measures.
Unisa staff appointment issues: A full summary of the controversy
The University of South Africa (UNISA), one of the continent’s largest distance learning institutions, is facing scrutiny once again following a damning report by the Public Protector of South Africa. The report, issued by Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, has uncovered significant governance failures and maladministration concerning a recent
At the heart of the controversy is the irregular re-appointment of Johannes Peu Matlala as the Manager: Physical Security Services. Matlala was given a one-year fixed-term contract in January 2024, despite having reached the university’s mandatory retirement age of 65 in March 2023. This action directly contradicted UNISA’s own employment conditions, which explicitly state that contracts should not extend beyond the age of 65.
The investigation, which commenced after a complaint was lodged in May 2024 by Freedom Front Plus member Advocate Anton Alberts on behalf of a whistleblower, revealed a process riddled with procedural flaws. Public Protector Gcaleka’s findings highlighted that the appointment was not only irregular but also constituted maladministration. A key finding was the improper role played by Matsiababa Motebele, UNISA’s Vice-Principal of Operations and Facilities. Motebele was found to have both initiated and approved the memorandum for Matlala’s re-appointment, effectively acting as the sole decision-maker in a process that should involve multiple checks and balances. This dual role raised serious concerns about impartiality and potential conflicts of interest, suggesting a significant breakdown in governance.
Furthermore, the Public Protector’s report indicated that fundamental recruitment procedures were ignored. The position was reportedly not advertised, no candidates were shortlisted, and no interviews were conducted. Crucial documentation, such as proof of qualifications and necessary approval signatures, were either missing or incomplete. While UNISA reportedly argued that operational pressures and urgent security concerns, particularly around ongoing construction projects, necessitated the swift appointment, the Public Protector found no evidence that proper procedures for such exceptions were followed.
In response to the report, UNISA has acknowledged the findings, admitting that the appointment “did not fully comply with the applicable governance framework.” The university has pledged to take corrective measures, including strengthening internal controls, ensuring a clear separation of duties between those who initiate and approve appointments, and enhancing oversight within its human resources department. Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula has been given a strict 60-day deadline to implement appropriate disciplinary action against Vice-Principal Motebele and to provide the Public Protector with a detailed action plan within 30 days.
This incident is not an isolated one for UNISA, which has faced previous controversies related to
Questions and Answers from the Community
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Q: What exactly did the Public Protector find wrong with the UNISA staff appointment?
A: The Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, found that UNISA irregularly re-appointed Johannes Matlala as a physical security services manager on a fixed-term contract after he had already reached retirement age. This violated UNISA’s own policies. The process was also procedurally flawed, with key steps like advertising the position, shortlisting, and interviews being skipped, and a single official both initiating and approving the appointment. -
Q: Who is Johannes Matlala and what was his role?
A: Johannes Matlala was re-appointed as the Manager: Physical Security Services for UNISA. The Public Protector’s report found his re-appointment on a fixed-term contract in January 2024 to be irregular because he had already retired in March 2023. -
Q: Which UNISA official is being held responsible for this irregular appointment?
A: Matsiababa Motebele, UNISA’s Vice-Principal: Operations and Facilities, has been identified as the official who improperly initiated and approved the appointment of Johannes Matlala, bypassing standard procedures. The Public Protector has ordered the Vice-Chancellor to take remedial action against him. -
Q: What action is UNISA taking after the Public Protector’s report?
A: UNISA has accepted the findings and committed to tightening internal controls, enforcing a stricter separation of roles in appointments, and improving oversight within its human resources department. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, has been given deadlines to take action against Motebele and submit an action plan to the Public Protector. -
Q: Is this the first time UNISA has faced issues with staff appointments?
A: No, UNISA has faced previous controversies related to staff appointments and governance. In 2021, there were allegations of appointing unqualified staff, and the university has also been involved in legal battles concerning the appointment of an administrator and concerns about the Vice-Chancellor’s reappointment. -
Q: Who is the current Public Protector who issued this report?
A: The current Public Protector of South Africa is Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka. She officially took office after being recommended by the National Assembly in October 2023.
