Oscar Mabuyane gets interdict against SIU in Fort Hare academic fraud probe
Judge says Special Investigating Unit can seek to widen probe to include master’s degrees at the university
20 June 2023 - 15:32
UPDATED 20 June 2023 - 17:09
bySithandiwe Velaphi
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Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane. Picture: KHIWA MEDIA.
Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane has successfully interdicted the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigating his qualifications from the University of Fort Hare.
The interdict is Part A of his application. But Part B, in which he seeks to have the entire process reviewed, declared unconstitutional and set aside, has not yet been heard.
In 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorising the SIU to investigate corruption and maladministration at the university.
The SIU is also investigating allegations of corruption involving four UFH tenders.
In a ruling on Tuesday, East London high court judge Thandi Norman said after having looked at the proclamation signed by Ramaphosa, it was not consistent with the investigation.
“I accordingly find that the complaint by the applicant [Mabuyane] in this regard is justified.
“Inasmuch as the applicant was aware of the proclamation as early as 2022, his allegation that he became aware that the investigation was directed at him when he received a notice from the SIU, is supported.
“This explanation is reasonable because up until that time, there was no indication that he was the subject of an investigation and it is not denied that he does not possess an honours degree.”
In terms of the proclamation, the SIU was authorised to probe maladministration in the university’s faculty of public administration in relation to the awarding of honours degrees, the management of funds and sourcing of public servants for study in various faculty programmes by an individual, for personal gain.
The SIU was investigating how Mabuyane allegedly fraudulently submitted a research proposal for a master’s degree in public administration at the university, allegedly with the help of former faculty dean Prof Edwin Ijeoma.
The proclamation only includes honours and not master’s degrees.
“In so far as the master’s degree is concerned, there is nothing stopping the SIU from preparing a motivation, as it did with the earlier proclamation, and request the president to proclaim that the registration for a master’s degree should too be investigated,” Norman said.
Update: June 20 2023 This story has been updated with new information.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Oscar Mabuyane gets interdict against SIU in Fort Hare academic fraud probe
Judge says Special Investigating Unit can seek to widen probe to include master’s degrees at the university
Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane has successfully interdicted the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigating his qualifications from the University of Fort Hare.
The interdict is Part A of his application. But Part B, in which he seeks to have the entire process reviewed, declared unconstitutional and set aside, has not yet been heard.
In 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorising the SIU to investigate corruption and maladministration at the university.
The SIU is also investigating allegations of corruption involving four UFH tenders.
In a ruling on Tuesday, East London high court judge Thandi Norman said after having looked at the proclamation signed by Ramaphosa, it was not consistent with the investigation.
“I accordingly find that the complaint by the applicant [Mabuyane] in this regard is justified.
“Inasmuch as the applicant was aware of the proclamation as early as 2022, his allegation that he became aware that the investigation was directed at him when he received a notice from the SIU, is supported.
“This explanation is reasonable because up until that time, there was no indication that he was the subject of an investigation and it is not denied that he does not possess an honours degree.”
In terms of the proclamation, the SIU was authorised to probe maladministration in the university’s faculty of public administration in relation to the awarding of honours degrees, the management of funds and sourcing of public servants for study in various faculty programmes by an individual, for personal gain.
The SIU was investigating how Mabuyane allegedly fraudulently submitted a research proposal for a master’s degree in public administration at the university, allegedly with the help of former faculty dean Prof Edwin Ijeoma.
The proclamation only includes honours and not master’s degrees.
“In so far as the master’s degree is concerned, there is nothing stopping the SIU from preparing a motivation, as it did with the earlier proclamation, and request the president to proclaim that the registration for a master’s degree should too be investigated,” Norman said.
Update: June 20 2023
This story has been updated with new information.
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