Despite persistent concerns about permit violations and an ongoing stop-work order, the Department of Labor’s internal review of the contentious R400 million Durban University of Technology (DUT) construction project revealed no wrongdoing by its officials.
Teboho Thejane, the spokesperson for the department, told Sunday World that internal investigations had been completed without any misconduct findings.
The review comes after the department issued a prohibition order on August 6 due to non-compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act at the DUT355 infrastructure project.
“Following a review of the processes relating to the Durban University of Technology construction site, the department found no unethical or improper conduct by its officials,” Thejane said.
“Accordingly, no referral was made to the department’s risk management unit, and therefore no formal investigation was initiated.”
However, documents seen by Sunday World reveal significant contradictions between the university’s public statements and the reality on the ground.
While DUT’s media statement dated August 26 claims that BorCon “has not been terminated” and continues as project manager, a stop-work letter sent to contractors on August 22 confirms that “work on site must remain suspended until further notice”.
DUT denies procurement violations
The signed letter from DUT’s real estate management division acknowledges that the resolution was “taking longer than initially expected”, contradicting the university’s optimistic public messaging about the project’s continuation.
Claims that BorCon was chosen by the university to oversee the project in spite of the company’s lack of the CIDB 8-9 rating required for a project of this size are at the heart of the controversy.
In its statement, the university vehemently denied claims of procurement violations, stating it had submitted evidence to Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela proving compliance with “all governance requirements”.
The university met with Minister Manamela on August 22, 2025, the same day the stop-work notice was sent to contractors, in an attempt to refute what it called “misinformation and unfounded allegations”.
DUT also dismissed claims that a senior procurement official resigned in protest, stating that the individual left for medical reasons.
The university has consistently insisted the matter is sub judice due to ongoing arbitration with the principal contractor.
Scopa to launch investigation
Meanwhile, parliament’s standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) has confirmed that it will investigate the matter.
Scopa chairperson Songezo Zibi confirmed that the DUT matter has been added to the committee’s schedule, with the auditor-general having been formally informed and expected to be summoned before the committee alongside the university’s auditors.
Thejane confirmed that DUT has complied with the requirements of the prohibition order, adding that “no further action was deemed necessary” and “no risk management findings or public report” would arise from the matter.
The developments mark the latest chapter in a saga that has raised serious questions about governance and procurement processes at one of KwaZulu-Natal’s premier tertiary institutions.
