Principals have been given a year to fix their severely flawed administrative systems.
Now the department is running at an inadequate capacity and is unable to perform all its functions.
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande is looking into another governance crisis — this time at the Central University of Technology.
Walter Sisulu University is sinking further into crisis as staff and students appeal for immediate intervention by minister Blade Nzimande.
The Tshwane University of Technology has been placed under administration with immediate effect, the department of higher education announced.
The higher education department has not been informed that the Tshwane University of Technology has a new vice chancellor, it said on Tuesday.