DASO Nelson Mandela University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
11 August 2026
RE: UPDATE ON SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS

Today, DASO leadership met with the Director of Suburban Mr Wilson to urgently address serious allegations of sexual assault and r**e that have been circulating on social media involving a residence manager, as well as a separate case involving two students at Alfin House.

We demanded the immediate suspension and removal of the residence manager from Westbourne Residence and further demanded that, while these serious allegations are being dealt with, the individual must not be allowed access to any property managed by Suburban.

We can confirm that the residence manager has been suspended and will not be permitted to enter Suburban properties.

But suspension alone is not justice. We are currently assisting the affected student to report the matter through the University and SAPS. We are also working to ensure that counselling and appropriate support are made available.

We also raised the separate case involving serious allegations of r**e at Alfin House involving first-year students. We were informed that a criminal case had already been opened, but the case had been dragging for some time.

Later this evening, DASO leadership went to Mount Road Police Station and demanded clarity on the progress of the case. We were informed that the matter is currently before the Magistrate’s Court and that court proceedings are expected to commence.

We refuse to accept a culture where students report sexual violence and are then expected to quietly wait while cases disappear into endless delays.

We will continue monitoring this matter closely.




Regards,
DASO NMU

💙Woman’s Day💙

For woman’s day, DASO NMU will celebrate and honour the women who inspire our campus. As a special gesture of appreciation and support, DASO gents will be cooking and serving warm meals for all South Campus female students.

Date: 10 August 2026
Time: 5 PM
Venue: Outside Lilian Ngoyi

Come through, enjoy a warm meal, and let’s celebrate empowered women together.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
07 August 2026
RE: Confirmation of Submission to the Office of the Deputy Minister

Dear Madibaz,

DASO notes that we have formally submitted the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Gap Investigation List. This list was compiled from the link previously released in our statement and contains the details of students who have not received any communication from the university regarding their funding and allowances.

The Office of the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training has confirmed receipt of the list. The office has indicated that it will assist in tracking the affected cases and will revert to us once the necessary interventions have been coordinated.

We also received a lot of recognition from various students for the work we convening which also motivate us even more to keep on fighting for vulnerable students.

We will continue to monitor developments closely and keep students updated as further information becomes available.




Issued By:
DASO Nelson Mandela University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
07 August 2026
RE: Reinstatement of Funding for Students Affected by Extended Programmes and Gap Investigations

Dear Madibaz,

DASO notes with relief that students whose funding was previously suspended or reduced due to extended programmes and gap investigations have begun receiving their reinstated allowances.

Funding that was taken down has now been restored, and affected students have started receiving payments with effect from the month in which their funding was originally withdrawn. This correction ensures that eligible students are not left without the support they were entitled to under the DHET grant framework.

DASO welcomes the reinstatement and the backdated payments. We continue to call for clear communication, transparent processes, and the timely resolution of any remaining cases so that no qualifying student is left in financial distress.




Issued By:
DASO Nelson Mandela University

For Immediate Release
Re: Victory for Nsfas Gap Investigation students

Greetings Madibaz,

After months of frustrations and fighting,the University has finally communicated to affected students that their funding has been reinstated. Outstanding allowances are expected to be paid by 7 August 2026.

This outcome did not fall from the sky. It is the result of relentless pressure, continuous engagements and the refusal of DASO leadership to remain silent while students were suffering. We fought tooth and nail, escalated the matter to the Deputy Minister of higher education and stood firmly with every affected student until there was results.

We have been at the forefront of this fight from the beginning. We demanded answers and action. Today that fight has produced results.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Mr Yusuf Cassim, for intervening and assisting in bringing this matter closer to resolution.

However, our work is not finished. Some students have still not received their funding outcomes. We call on all affected students who are still waiting for feedback to submit their details through the provided link so that we can follow up.
Link: https://forms.gle/ddJQBVHo5pmAfpNi6

We celebrate this victory, but we will not abandon those who are still waiting. Until every qualifying student receives a fair outcome and every outstanding allowance is paid, the fight continues.




Yours in leadership,
DASO NMU