Question NW2259 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
30 June 2023 - NW2259
Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Whether his department has any policy for institutions of higher learning with regard to the nature and kind of organisations that may operate on campuses of higher learning; if not, why not; if so, what steps has his department taken to create awareness among and safeguard vulnerable university students from a well-known cult which is primarily known as the World Mission Society Church of God, led by the so-called God the Mother, that has been banned from South Korea where it originated and is now freely operating around institutions of higher learning in the Republic, exploiting and creating a number of victims who have over the years tried to expose the so-called church?
Reply:
The Department of Higher Education and Training does not have any policy for institutions of higher learning regarding the nature and kind of organisations that may operate on campuses of higher learning. The Higher Education Act (101 of 1997) as amended has entrusted the Council of a university with the role to govern the institution and the principal (Vice-Chancellor) with the responsibility to manage the institution and oversee the administration. Therefore, universities policies are developed by universities and approved by councils as determined by their statutes.
The Department is not aware of the operations of the World Mission Society Church of God at universities. More information in this regard will be sourced through Universities South Africa and made available to Parliament.