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Mabuyane on “To Degree or Not to Degree”

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Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has responded to an article published by News24, today, 15 May 2023, written by Jeff Wicks with the headline; Mabuyane’s sham degree, a crooked professor and his ghostwriting team exposed”.

Related: Premier Mabuyane: To Degree or not Degree

The Premier had initially elected not to respond to this issue in the media domain as he found it necessary to engage with law enforcement institutions, such as the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), seized with the matter. He still awaits his opportunity to have an audience with the authorities and exercise his right of reply.

He is further surprised that there is a forensic report already available as indicated in the article, while he had not been approached for questioning by the law enforcement agency.

However, in the light of the article and several media enquiries the Premier wishes to clarify the following:

Premier Mabuyane presented at the School Senior Higher Degree Committee at Bhisho Campus on the 20th November 2019 in the presence of six Academics chaired by Prof O. Nzewi.

After several corrections, on the 19th of March 2020, he presented to the Faculty Senior Higher Degree Committee in East London chaired by Professor Liezel Cilliers, in the presence of the Dean Dr Ntosh Wayi and five other Professors.

The Premier was admitted and registered to Fort Hare University to study for his MA degree, and was further allocated his supervisor Professor Prof Edwin Ijeoma, by the institution, until his suspension.

The Premier did all his corrections by himself in regular consultation with his supervisor.

Issues around his research schedules, presentations and feedback were handled by the two university Administrators.

After the suspension of Professor Edwin Ijeoma, the Premier was allocated a new supervisor, that is, Professor Thakathi and he continued with his studies without any issues raised.

In 2021, the Premier received a letter from the university stating he has been excluded and deregistered as a student of the institution, following a review conducted in respect of students who were supervised by Professor Ijeoma.

It is important to note that Premier Mabuyane was never awarded a post graduate qualification by UFH or any other institution of higher learning. Further to this, he has never applied or expressed an interest to pursue doctoral studies at the UFH.

Considering the recent developments and continued attack on the Premiers person, he is of the view that this is a witch-hunt as he cannot be blamed for the weakness in the internal control systems of the university.

Premier Mabuyane has since instructed his legal legal advisors to consider these developments, including the forensic report referred to in the article with a view to take the matter through the courts.

It is the Premiers belief that such a platform will create an opportunity to share his side of the story and defend his reputation which is tainted by the allegations made in the news report.

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