Court sets aside University of Limpopo decision to deregister 2 master’s students

JOHANNESBURG - The University of Limpopo’s decision to deregister two master’s degree students on the verge of their graduation has been set aside by the courts.  

Ntando Mnguni and Philisiwe Cele took the university to court after it cancelled their studies two years into their qualification.  

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The institution said there was an oversight in registering them in the first place as they did not meet the criteria for its master’s programme in information studies.  

At the heart of the dispute, the University of Limpopo said for a student to qualify for its master’s programme, they need a bachelor’s degree with 360 credits.  

Ntando Mnguni and Philisiwe Cele both have diplomas and BTech degrees.  

They argued both their qualifications have a combined 480 credits, higher than the required threshold from the university.  

Prior to the termination of their studies, both students had completed their thesis and received feedback from their supervisors recommending them for graduation.  

In her ruling, Limpopo acting High Court Judge Marianne Bresler ordered the university to redetermine its decision to deregister the students and its refusal to award them their master’s degrees.