CPUT loses urgent court bid over dental programme suspension

The Western Cape High Court has rejected an urgent court bid by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) to block the South African Dental Technicians Council (SADTC) from seeking permission from Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to suspend CPUT's dental technology programme. CPUT requested the court's intervention after the SADTC informed them of its plan to request Motsoaledi's consent to suspend the programme pending a review at the Gauteng division.

In their application, CPUT contended that the SADTC's decision to notify them of its intention to request Motsoaledi's consent should be deemed unlawful and unconstitutional. They also argued that their case, along with those of the Durban University of Technology and Tshwane University of Technology, should be reviewed by the Gauteng Division regarding the programme's accreditation criteria.

The SADTC, however, rejected CPUT's application, citing a lack of urgency and the absence of merits justifying the requested relief. They argued that the Western Cape High Court lacked jurisdiction to handle the matter, as the interdict was meant to halt a procedural process not yet finalized. The dispute over CPUT's dental technology programme began in December 2020 when the university was granted conditional accreditation for the first year, contingent on the submission of required documentation by the first quarter of 2021.

The university's lab relocation to its campus in 2025 resulted in delays in obtaining necessary certificates from various authorities.

In March 2026, the SADTC suspended CPUT's dental technology programme, and the Western Cape High Court issued an interim interdict suspending Motsoaledi's consent to the suspension pending the final determination of CPUT's review application. In August, CPUT was served with a fresh notice concerning the SADTC's intention to seek the minister's consent to suspend the programme until CPUT met the conditions of prescribed accreditation.

The university was given 30 days to respond, but they demanded the retraction of the suspension notice before initiating the application when their demand was denied.

Acting Judge Zuko Luvo Mapoma dismissed CPUT's application, finding no merit in the SADTC's challenge to the court's jurisdiction. Mapoma stated that CPUT failed to demonstrate substantial redress and that the SADTC had already decided to suspend the programme, as announced in March. The court noted that CPUT spent the notice period gathering information to litigate rather than complying with the statutory body's regulatory process.

Mapoma deemed the delay self-created and not justified by the sudden urgency of the matter, dismissing the application with costs.