Recent Parliamentary Scrutiny Sparks Urgent Call for Compliance

On February 18, 2026, South Africa's Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, chaired by Tebogo Letsie, alongside the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, chaired by Mosa Chabane, issued a strong directive to universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. The joint sitting highlighted the need for strict adherence to immigration laws when employing foreign nationals, emphasizing that internationalisation cannot justify bypassing national regulations. This comes amid growing concerns that some institutions are hiring foreign staff without verifying critical skills shortages or obtaining proper work authorisations, potentially sidelining qualified South Africans.

Chairperson Letsie stated, "We have a serious problem in the sector where some universities and TVET colleges hire foreign nationals without following proper processes. This cannot continue at the expense of qualified South Africans." The committees demanded improved transparency, reliable data, and proof of genuine skills gaps before any foreign recruitment.

Breaking Down the Latest Statistics on Foreign Staff in South African Higher Education

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) presented audited data from its Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS) for 2024, revealing that foreign nationals constitute 7.74% of staff at public universities, with the remaining 92.26% being South African citizens or permanent residents. This figure aligns closely with the 7.7% often cited in recent discussions. Most foreign staff (82.89%) are in instructional and research roles, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields where shortages persist.

Delving deeper into permanent positions, universities employ 65,585 staff overall, with 4.6% foreign nationals holding critical skills visas or permanent residence. Notably, foreign nationals make up about 12% of permanent academic staff across public universities—a stable proportion over years that DHET argues does not displace locals. Temporary roles show higher foreign representation: out of 94,049 employees, 9,327 (9.92%) are foreign nationals compared to 84,722 South Africans.

In TVET colleges, foreign staff number 278 (1.3% of 22,000 total), mostly lecturers in maths and science, while Community Education and Training (CET) colleges have just 38 (0.3%). Percentages vary by university: the University of Fort Hare has 8.28% foreign staff, while Rhodes University reports only 1.07%. DHET flagged at least 67 TVET foreign staff not linked to critical skills, underscoring data verification needs.

Legal Framework Governing Foreign Hires in Higher Education

South Africa's immigration regime is anchored in the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, particularly Section 38, which criminalises employing foreign nationals without valid work visas. Employers face fines or imprisonment for non-compliance, with heightened enforcement amid 10,000 new labour inspectors planned. Higher education institutions must prioritise South African citizens and permanent residents, only turning to foreigners for roles on the Critical Skills List after exhausting local options.

The Critical Skills Work Visa (CSWV), part of the Occupational Dispensations for Critical Skills, targets professions in short supply, including certain academic fields like university lecturers in specialised STEM areas. Academics must hold qualifications verified by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and demonstrate practical experience. This visa facilitates up to five years' employment, renewable toward permanent residency.

Recent policy shifts, including a points-based system for CSWV and General Work Visas introduced in 2024, prioritise higher education diplomas and experience, aiming to streamline while ensuring relevance to South Africa's needs.

Step-by-Step Process for Compliant Hiring of Foreign University Staff

To hire a foreign national compliantly, South African universities follow these mandated steps:

• Advertise locally first: Post the position on national platforms like higher-ed-jobs and university career sites for at least 30 days, proving no suitable South African candidate exists.
• SAQA evaluation: Submit foreign qualifications for equivalence assessment by SAQA.
• Critical skills confirmation: Obtain a letter from the relevant professional body or DHET confirming the role matches the Critical Skills List.
• Job offer and visa application: Issue a formal offer; applicant submits CSWV at VFS Global or DHA, including passport, police clearance, medical report, and proof of skills (processing ~20-60 days).
• Oversight reporting: Notify DHET and DHA of employment; monitor visa status and skill transfer to locals.

Non-adherence risks audits, fines, and reputational damage. Institutions like those under Universities South Africa (USAf) advocate for streamlined processes while upholding localisation.

Key Concerns Raised: From Data Gaps to Non-Academic Roles

MPs across parties voiced alarm over foreign hires in non-critical roles, including senior management like principals and CFOs at TVETs—positions oversight visits confirmed during parliamentary tours. Weak interdepartmental coordination between DHET, DHA, and Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) exacerbates unreliable data, hindering compliance tracking.

Minister Buti Manamela emphasised, "The policy framework is clear: foreign nationals may only be employed where skills are scarce, where all legal requirements are met, and where South Africans have been prioritised." Yet, unaudited figures suggest temporary roles inflate foreign presence, prompting calls for DHET to "clean and verify" databases urgently.

This scrutiny echoes broader national debates on employment equity, transformation, and xenophobia concerns, which Letsie dismissed: "This is not xenophobia; it's about fairness."

Stakeholder Perspectives: Balancing Internationalisation and Localisation

DHET views foreign academics as vital for research collaboration, postgraduate supervision, and STEM innovation, especially with Global South partnerships. Over R2 billion invested in local academic development underscores localisation efforts. Universities argue international staff enhance global benchmarking and curriculum diversity, but must demonstrate skill transfer—e.g., mentoring South African PhDs.

Critics, including MPs, counter that capable locals exist, citing high youth unemployment (over 40% for graduates). Unions like those representing academic staff call for mandatory skill audits. Foreign academics contribute positively in maths and sciences, as Letsie acknowledged, but only where shortages are proven.

For those navigating higher-ed career advice, understanding these dynamics is key to successful applications.

Real-World Implications for Universities, Staff, and Students

Non-compliance exposes institutions to criminal liability, funding cuts, and talent drain if foreign staff visas lapse. South African graduates face barriers in academia, pushing some overseas—ironic, as Letsie noted: "When South African students go abroad, they follow those laws." Enhanced oversight could professionalise hiring, attracting top global talent ethically while upskilling locals.

In TVETs, foreign maths lecturers fill gaps in rural areas, but 67 mismatched hires highlight vetting flaws. Universities like Fort Hare, with higher foreign ratios, may face targeted audits.

Pathways to Compliance: Actionable Steps and Best Practices

To align with directives:

• Implement robust HR systems for visa tracking and local advertising proofs.
• Partner with SAQA and professional bodies for swift critical skills verification.
• Conduct annual audits, reporting to DHET via HEMIS.
• Foster mentorship programs transferring skills to emerging South African academics.
• Explore intra-African mobility under AU frameworks for compliant exchanges.

Explore university jobs in South Africa or global university opportunities on AcademicJobs.com for compliant listings.

Future Outlook: Tighter Oversight and Policy Reforms

Committees plan meetings with DEL, closer DHA-DHET collaboration, and scrutiny of the revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration, and Refugees (comments closed Jan 2026). An interdepartmental steering committee, announced July 2025, will bolster oversight. Digital visa systems and biometrics loom, promising efficiency but rigour.

Positive trends: stable foreign percentages suggest equilibrium, with internationalisation boosting rankings. Institutions excelling in compliance will thrive, positioning South Africa as an African higher ed hub.

Navigating Opportunities Amid Compliance: Advice for Stakeholders

For foreign academics: Verify Critical Skills List alignment early; leverage free resume templates for standout applications. Local job seekers: Target faculty positions via verified platforms. Institutions: Compliance builds trust, aiding recruitment.

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Photo by Clodagh Da Paixao on Unsplash