Published: 07/11/2025
Implementation of Post-Approval Monitoring for Research Projects
Dear Staff and Students,
The Research Ethics Committee-Human (REC-H) would like to remind (see MEMO dated 8 May 2025) all staff and students that it will be implementing active monitoring of approved research projects, in line with the National Department of Health (NDOH) 2024 guidelines.
Active monitoring is a mandatory and essential part of the duties of REC-H of having oversight over the research it approves. Post-approval monitoring ensures that research activities are being conducted in accordance with the approved protocols, ethical standards, and institutional and national regulatory requirements.
As part of this process, REC-H will be conducting site visits of randomly selected research projects. These visits are intended to:
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Build and promote researcher accountability and ethical culture
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Ensure that participants' rights and well-being are being protected
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Protect the reputation of the university, the researchers and the REC-H
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Provide support to researchers in addressing any ethical or procedural concerns
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Review documentation and data management practices
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Support institutional and legal compliance as required by the NHREC
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Verify compliance with the approved research protocol
Researchers whose projects are selected for site visits will be contacted directly with further details. As per the condions of approval (as outlined in all ethics approval letters), please note that participation in the monitoring process is mandatory and part of our shared committment to maintaining research integrity.
Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please contact the Research Ethics Manager, Simangele Shezi on simangele.shezi@mandela.ac.za.
We thank you for your cooperation and continued dedication to ethical research practices.
Sincerely.
The Research Ethics Committee-Human (REC-H)