Corruption Concerns in University Admissions and Merit-Based Places in South Africa

🔍 Recent Surge in Allegations Surrounding University Admissions

As South Africa gears up for the 2026 academic year, concerns over corruption in university admissions have intensified, casting a shadow over the pursuit of higher education. With record-high matric pass rates—88% for the Class of 2025, producing over 245,000 students eligible for bachelor degrees—demand for limited spots has created fertile ground for unscrupulous practices. 93 92 Public universities can accommodate only around 235,000 first-year students, leading to fierce competition, particularly for competitive programs like medicine, engineering, and law. Whispers of 'tjotjo'—a colloquial term for bribery or backhanders—suggest that merit-based places are sometimes traded for cash, undermining the integrity of the system.

This issue is not isolated; it reflects deeper systemic pressures where scarcity meets opportunity. Prospective students from under-resourced backgrounds, who rely solely on their National Senior Certificate (NSC) results, fear being displaced by those with financial means or connections. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) oversees admissions through the Central Applications Office (CAO) for some provinces and individual university portals, but fragmented processes leave room for manipulation.

The Mechanics of Corruption in Admissions Processes

University admissions in South Africa typically involve submitting NSC results via online portals, with selection based on Admission Point Scores (APS)—a calculation combining percentages in key subjects. Merit-based places prioritize high APS scores, subject requirements, and equity targets for historically disadvantaged groups. However, allegations point to irregularities during late applications or 'space overrides,' where admissions officers allegedly accept payments to bump unqualified candidates ahead. 99

Syndicates operate via WhatsApp groups and social media, charging R3,000 to R50,000 for guaranteed spots. These intermediaries claim connections with internal staff who manipulate databases or issue fraudulent offers. The opacity of late registration lists—often unpublished—exacerbates the problem, as does understaffing in admissions offices during peak periods like January.

• High-demand faculties: Medicine and health sciences see the most complaints due to National Health Act quotas.
• Late interventions: Post-deadline 'special considerations' without audits.
• Digital vulnerabilities: IT systems allowing overrides without trails.

While not every case is proven, patterns emerge around institutions like the University of Johannesburg (UJ), which received 450,000 applications for limited spots. 84

High-Profile Case: UKZN Medical School Graft Scandal

One of the most concrete examples is the ongoing graft case at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Nelson Mandela School of Medicine. In 2017, several individuals—including Varsha Bhatt, Hiteshkumar Bhatt, and others—allegedly paid up to R50,000 to IT specialist Ruth Sekati to hack the admissions system, securing pharmacy and medical places for unqualified applicants. This stemmed from a 2016 KPMG report uncovering 'places for sale,' leading to Operation Clever—a R73 million probe suspending 31 staff. 98

The case, dormant since 2018 withdrawals, returned to court in late 2025, with a pre-trial on March 3, 2026. It highlights how nepotism and bribery erode merit, affecting patient care quality long-term. UKZN's response included enhanced IT security, but critics argue deeper cultural reforms are needed.

EFF Youth Command's Bold Police Charges

In a dramatic escalation on January 28, 2026, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Youth Command, led by Naledi Chirwa-Mpungose, filed charges at Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria against a syndicate selling placements. Institutions implicated include Northlink Nursing College, University of Limpopo (UL), North-West University (NWU), University of Mpumalanga (UMP), University of Zululand (UniZulu), Vaal University of Technology (VUT), and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). 97

Students reported fees of R3,000–R4,000 via bank transfers, with evidence of WhatsApp chats submitted. The EFF demands Hawks investigations and collaboration with Minister Buti Manamela, framing it as exploitation of rural youth amid ballooning applications—e.g., NWU's 500,000 for 12,000 spots. 83

University Responses: Whistleblowers and Internal Probes

Institutions like the University of Cape Town (UCT) maintain whistleblower hotlines, investigating 2023 complaints of admissions irregularities. One case confirmed no wrongdoing after verification, but others highlighted procedural lapses. 75 Universities South Africa (USAf) refutes blanket corruption claims, emphasizing governance frameworks. Yet, books like Jonathan Jansen's 'Corrupted' detail chronic dysfunction, including micropolitics where junior staff enable graft. 24

Many universities now use AI-driven scoring and blockchain for transparency pilots, but implementation lags.

Undermining Meritocracy: Impacts on Students and Society

Corruption erodes trust in merit-based systems, where APS determines futures. Displaced high-achievers from townships face TVET alternatives stigmatized as inferior, perpetuating inequality. Long-term, it compromises graduate quality, affecting sectors like healthcare. Poor students bear the brunt, widening the equity gap post-apartheid. 99

Stakeholders: Students protest; parents fundraise futilely; academics decry unqualified peers. Corruption Watch warns it reshapes education's moral logic.Corruption Watch report

Structural Pressures: Overwhelming Demand vs Limited Capacity

The root lies in mismatch: 900,000+ matriculants annually vs 235,000 places. UP processed 340,000 apps for 57,000 eligibles; UJ hit 450,000. DHET's enrolment planning targets growth, but funding shortages hinder expansion. 79 80

• Budget constraints: Infrastructure backlog.
• Demographic bulge: Post-COVID pass rates soared.
• TVET underutilization: Only 20% uptake despite quality programs.

Broader Corruption Landscape in South African Higher Education

Admissions graft mirrors wider issues: NSFAS fraud, tender scams, nepotism at Fort Hare. Jansen's study reveals 'unskilled staff driving corruption agendas.' 29 Political interference in TVETs adds layers.

Government Interventions and Policy Gaps

DHET warns against bogus colleges; Minister Manamela pushes missing middle funding. Yet, no centralized admissions audit exists. Calls for Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act enforcement grow.

Pathways to Reform: Solutions for a Fairer System

Experts propose:

• Fully auditable digital systems with AI anomaly detection.
• Independent oversight boards reviewing overrides.
• Whistleblower protections and incentives.
• Boosting TVET prestige via higher ed career advice.
• Prosecutions as deterrents.

Universities could publish anonymized late lists quarterly.DHET Enrolment Plan

Practical Advice for Prospective Students and Parents

Avoid WhatsApp 'agents'; apply early via official portals. Build backups: TVETs offer pathways to degrees. Rate professors on Rate My Professor for insights. Explore university jobs or higher ed jobs in SA via AcademicJobs South Africa. Report suspicions anonymously. The future demands vigilance for true meritocracy.

In conclusion, while challenges persist, collective action can safeguard merit-based places. Stay informed, apply legitimately, and support reforms for equitable access.