Mabuyane’s Fraudulent Degree Highlights the Extent of Qualification Scams Among Senior Politicians

The scandal surrounding Premier of the Eastern Cape, Oscar Mabuyane’s fake degree, has sent shockwaves through the academic community and sparked a nationwide debate on the prevalence of degree fraud, especially among senior politicians.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has mandated the Hawks to investigate degree fraud, corruption, and assassinations at Fort Hare University (FHU) in the Province. This mandate highlights the seriousness of these allegations and underscores the need for a thorough and impartial investigation.

It cannot be overly stated that fraud and corruption undermine the foundations of South Africa’s education system, eroding trust and devaluing legitimate qualifications. ActionSA calls for urgent and concrete measures to be undertaken to address this issue and restore credibility of our country’s higher learning institutions.

Mabuyane’s rise to prominence was based on his qualifications, including a prestigious degree from Fort Hare University (FHU). However, recent investigations unearthed evidence suggesting that his degree may be a fabrication. This revelation has fuelled public outrage with political analysts already counting the cost, potential consequences, and broader implications on the integrity of the country’s education system.

While urging an internal review of FHU’s procedures for validating qualifications, ActionSA insists that unless this is investigated by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), the ANC elite would continue to subvert everything to protect its political leadership.

What makes this scheme more galling is the fact that their so-called studies and qualifications are funded by taxpayers and State institutions. This effectively means that not only are the qualifications suspicious, but they are also for free.

Furthermore, these scams undermine the hardships faced by bona fide students in the Province and that of parents who have funded and supported their studies at the Walter Sisulu University, which for years did not have the necessary degree accreditation for certain courses, despite students futilely studying these for years.

The once iconic and respected FHU has been mired in fraud and corruption which has led to assassinations and attempted assassinations and the incalculable financial loss to the University and the State.

The callous, uncaring, and calculating participation of former Premier and now Minister, Noxolo Kiewiet and Mabuyane in the FHU degree scam is reminiscent of the last days of the Roman Empire when Nero was fiddling while Rome was burning. Kiewiet’s silence on this matter is deafening and the fact that Premier Mabuyane interdicted the ANC President and leader of his own party to stop any investigation into the matter, shows implicitly that corruption will not end with such obvious self-service, greed, and corruption if those who hold the highest office, are not brought to book.

ActionSA believes that ethical leadership demands from leaders that they do not turn a blind eye to unethical behaviour, but rather demand accountability without fear or favour.

Finally, ActionSA calls for an action step from Ramaphosa to amend the proclamation to include the investigation of Kiewiet and Mabuyane.

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