A War of Words and Writs: Unisa Escalates Fight Against Whistle-Blower

The University of South Africa (Unisa) has launched a sharp legal counteroffensive against a former student turned whistle-blower, threatening him with urgent contempt of court proceedings if he does not retract a slew of explosive allegations against Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula.

In a letter from Unisa’s lawyers, SM Vakalisa Incorporated, the institution accuses Simamkele Xani of being in “wilful contempt” of a 2024 court order that restrained him from publishing defamatory statements about the vice-chancellor. The university has given Xani 24 hours to retract a recent letter he sent to Unisa’s council and various government institutions, or face an urgent court application.

The Explosive Claims at the Heart of the Feud

Last week, through his attorneys at Sebako Attorneys, Xani leveled grave accusations that have sent shockwaves through the academic community. The allegations include:

• Awarding an R82 million security tender to an ANC MP.

• Using university funds to silence critics.

• Manipulating council appointments to secure her reappointment for a second term.

• Spending over R200 million on legal battles to protect her position.

• Bribing a former employee with R500,000+ to fabricate sexual harassment claims against a professor.

Xani’s lawyers demanded the council suspend LenkaBula by last Friday, warning her continued presence posed “a serious risk” of interfering with investigations.

Unisa’s Response: A Breach of Court Order

Unisa’s legal retort sidesteps addressing the specific allegations head-on, instead focusing on what it calls a breach of a court interdict. The order, granted by Judge Sulet Potterill, was specifically aimed at stopping Xani from publishing statements questioning LenkaBula’s appointment and professorial title.

The university’s lawyers assert that Xani’s latest letter constitutes a continuation of this prohibited behaviour, making him liable for contempt. They demand a written retraction, failing which they will proceed with an urgent application to hold him accountable.

A High-Stakes Standoff

The standoff places Unisa’s governance under a glaring spotlight. Xani’s allegations paint a picture of systemic corruption and abuse of power at the highest level of Africa’s largest open-distance learning institution. Unisa’s response, focusing on legal procedure and an existing interdict, raises questions about howor ifthese substantial claims will be formally investigated independently of the court battle over defamation.

For now, the conflict has moved from social media whispers and lawyers’ letters to the brink of another courtroom clash. The next 24 hours will determine whether the former student backs down or whether Unisa will be forced to make its case before a judge, potentially airing the damaging allegations in an even more public forum. The credibility of one of South Africa’s most important universities may well hang in the balance.