DA higher education spokeswoman Annelie Lotriet said she would write to portfolio committee chairman Motswane Ishmael Malale to ask for an investigation.

The university council needed to explain how the tenders were awarded.

On Friday, the Mail & Guardian reported that the university awarded tenders to two allies of expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema last year.

Collins Foromo, who was Malema's driver, was awarded a R27.8-million tender for the conversion of a gymnasium into a laboratory.

A company owned by FYL founder Mandla Seopela was awarded a contract for a three-year lease for dining facilities. The value of the tender could not be confirmed.