The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) has defended its recruitment practices following criticism over the employment of foreign nationals, insisting that South Africans make up the overwhelming majority of its workforce.
The issue came under scrutiny during a recent oversight visit by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, while social media posts have alleged that the university is prioritising foreign nationals over South African citizens in its hiring processes.
UMP rejected the claims and said it remains committed to employing qualified South Africans through fair and transparent recruitment procedures.
“UMP remains committed to fair, transparent and objective recruitment processes that prioritise South African academics and non-academic staff,” the university said.
According to the institution, South Africans account for 94.4% of its total workforce. Of the university’s 706 employees, only 40 are foreign nationals, representing about 5.6% of staff members.
The university said the figures are similarly reflected in its academic staff complement. Of the 256 academics employed by UMP, 218 are South African citizens, while 38 are foreign nationals.
The university accused some social media users of spreading misinformation about its employment practices.
“UMP has noted that some social media users are opportunistically spreading false narratives not backed by facts,” UMP said.
In response to concerns raised during the parliamentary oversight visit, the university said it is conducting a comprehensive review of its appointment policy, including the procedures governing the recruitment of foreign nationals.
The review aims to ensure full compliance with South African labour, immigration and other relevant legislation, while strengthening internal verification and recruitment processes.
“This includes strengthening the University’s internal processes relating to the recruitment, verification, and appointment of foreign nationals, as well as ensuring that the necessary documentation and regulatory requirements are properly considered before an appointment is finalised,” UMP said.
The institution also warned that it may take action against individuals who continue to spread what it described as false and unverified information.
“The University calls on the social media content creators to refrain from making false statements that cannot be backed by facts,” the university said.
“UMP reserves the right to hold the content creators responsible for spreading unverified and false information accountable.”
The university said it remains committed to attracting and retaining qualified staff while ensuring its recruitment processes align with the country’s legal and regulatory framework.
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