Soobben, founder of the Centre for Fine Art, Animation and Design, was instructed to halt lessons after the department told him his accreditation to operate as a private higher education institution had been suspended for the second time within weeks.
Soobben has appealed against the decision, but has refused to stop tutoring his 20 students - half of whom are studying free of charge.
His work was included in Nelson Mandela's private collection and held by The Smithsonian Institute.
An online petition has been launched to save the school.
Soobben said the first time his accreditation was suspended was because he could not provide the department with a student database.
"I was robbed four times and forced to move premises. The department suspended the accreditation because the school didn't have a students' database; it and the school's computers were stolen. We set up a new database, appealed and were reinstated."
This time the school's accreditation was suspended after it moved to new premises. The department said the school had failed to provide a health and safety report.
"We moved in a hurry because of crime. But we got the [health and safety] report done and sent it within the specified time.
"The department said the appeal is pending but the school is still suspended."
Soobben said he was prepared to fight the matter in court.
The department failed to respond to questions.
For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.
We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.
Go to: http://www.inet.co.za
