ANC MP Tebogo Letsie has dared the University of Limpopo (UL) to sue him.
This was in response to a letter of demand the university had sent him.
Instead, the chairperson of the Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training doubled down.
UL management had protested that Letsie’s questioning of their competency was “defamatory”.
“I will not be apologising for standing for the truth, and I believe waiting for 9 May 2025 to approach a competent court will be a waste of time. I urge you to do so immediately,” he charged in a letter to UL attorneys.
On 30 April, the attorneys for UL, Anton Baker Attorneys wrote to Letsie asking that he desist from making accusations about the university or its council without evidence.
The varsity demanded he retract the statements he made in his recent media interviews and apologise by Friday or face legal action.
However, Letsie maintained that the university does fully comprehend the National Qualification Framework (NQF) and that both the UL vice chancellor and chair of council occupied their posts in violation of the university rules.
“Your clients are costing the university money with cases that are pointless to defend…” the MP wrote.
The bone of contention is two statements by Letsie made in response to a judgment the Limpopo High Court handed down in March.
The court ordered UL to reconsider its decision not to recognise the qualifications the Durban University of Technology conferred on two students.
In his interview on commercial radio station Power 98.7, Letsie said he was concerned UL was falling apart because it failed to apply the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
He also questioned the extension of the term of office of Vice-Chancellor Mahlo Mokgalong and accused UL of employing multiple law firms to launder money.
In a later interview on Newzroom Afrika, Letsie repeated the allegations and then added that it was rumoured that UL had intentionally blocked students from graduating.
Friction between UL and parliament has been ongoing.
On March 28, parliament summoned the institution, demanding that outstanding information and documents on several issues before it be submitted.
Letsie said UL ignored parliament, a claim university spokesperson Victor Kgomoeswana has denied.
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