Wits was reacting to a social media user who claimed that the university was defrauding students. 

It claimed the university made a profit of over R27 million by accepting R200 application fees, even after it had reached its first-year student capacity.  

Wits has received more than 140,000 applications from prospective first students before the 2024 academic year. 

However, the university says it can only cater for some 6,300 first year students. 

Wits spokesperson Shirona Patel said the profit from application fees is used to fund disadvantaged students. 

“It is ridiculous that people can believe anything that is published by vexatious people on Twitter (now known as X). The tweet is not factual and is defamatory. First, Wits is a non-profit organisation. We do charge an application fee of R100, as agreed with the Department of Education, to process applications.

“All funds go towards the academic project, student support and enabling students to access higher education. In 2023, Wits disbursed R1,4 billion to students in financial aid and scholarships, which helped 26,000 students. This includes the Wits Hardship Fund, where we set aside R28 million to help students register and secure emergency accommodation. Similar amounts are budgeted for in 2024.”

Patel said they are considering legal action against the individual.  

“Second, the tweeter pulled random pictures of people from the Wits website – these people have nothing to do with the application fee. In fact, they go beyond the call of duty to assist students to access education, within the university’s rules. The tweet has been reported to Twitter/X and has been referred to the university’s legal department.”

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