DEREGISTERED! City Varsity, Damelin and ICESA face shutdown

The Department of Higher Education and Training has issued a Notice of Intent to cancel the registration of three private higher education institutions, City Varsity, Damelin, and ICESA City Campus, citing a prolonged pattern of non-compliance with the Higher Education Act (No. 101 of 1997).

City Varsity (Pty) Ltd, Damelin (Pty) Ltd, and ICESA City Campus (Pty) Ltd are now facing potential deregistration after failing to meet critical regulatory requirements, the Department confirmed.

“The decision to issue the Notice of Intent to Cancel is taken in the interest of protecting students and upholding the integrity of the sector," explained spokesperson Matshepo Seedat.

The Department highlighted the institutions’ repeated failures to submit complete statutory Annual Reports, despite being granted extensions, including a final remedial deadline of 6 June 2025. Lack of essential documents, from audited financial statements to proof of financial guarantees, prompted this serious measure. Compliance with Sars tax regulations and occupational health and safety standards were also noted to be deficient.

Further raising concerns, it has come to light that City Varsity and ICESA City Campus have ceased operations entirely, effectively failing to provide higher education as defined in the Act. This shutdown adds urgency to the Department's actions to ensure educational institutions maintain operational integrity.

“The Department remains unequivocally committed to protecting students from being enrolled in institutions that cannot demonstrate financial and operational sustainability," Seedat noted, reinforcing the organization’s resolve to act decisively against any entity that cannot fulfil its legal and educational obligations.

The Notice of Intent will be published in the Government Gazette in accordance with Section 63(a) of the Higher Education Act, granting the affected institutions an opportunity to make representations. Meanwhile, students will be supported through appropriate academic and administrative arrangements during this challenging transition.

IOL