Nzimande wrote to Unisa council chairperson James Maboa on Friday to inform the council of his intention to appoint an administrator to the institution.

Nzimande's spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi said the minister intends to exercise his powers in terms of Section 49B of the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997, which empowers him to appoint an administrator and in terms of Section 49E of the Higher Education Act, the council of Unisa will be dissolved upon the appointment of an administrator.

Mnisi furthemore added that decision followed reports by independent assessor Professor Themba Mosia and a ministerial task team chaired by businessman and academic Vincent Maphai while another application was brought by Unisa’s former registrar, Prof Steward Mothata, on the 20th of June in the North Gauteng high court in Pretoria to declare the council is no longer properly constituted after the resignation of several members. 

Mothata, who was fired by vice-chancellor Prof Puleng LenkaBula on the 27nth of June, sought several other orders which included directing Nzimande to appoint an administrator for Unisa within 15 days of the order being granted.

In May Mosia made 26 recommendations to Nzimande in a 308-page report which included that Unisa be placed under full administration and the council and management be relieved of their duties.