SIU probe into Premier Mabuyane’s degree continues

The Special Investigating Unit on Sunday said its investigation into degrees awarded at the University of Fort Hare will continue despite a recent High Court ruling in favour of Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane.

The SIU said the judgment handed down on 23 October does not stop or limit its work because the proclamation that the court relied on has since been amended.

The ruling concerned Proclamation 84 of 2022, which authorised the SIU to investigate allegations of maladministration at the university. The court found that the proclamation did not clearly include Masters degrees and PhDs. As a result, it ruled that the part of the investigation involving Premier Mabuyane fell outside the scope of that proclamation.

The SIU said the court decision is based on an earlier version of the proclamation that is no longer in effect. The Unit pointed to an earlier order issued on 20 June 2023, which temporarily halted the investigation into the Premier until the court could consider Part B of the case. That part deals with the process followed for the admission and awarding of a Masters degree.

In that June 2023 judgment, Judge T V Norman stated that the SIU could request a new proclamation if evidence suggested wrongdoing in the awarding of the Masters degree. The SIU said it followed this direction and applied for an amendment. According to the Unit, the President later issued Proclamation 194 of 2024, which expanded the scope of the investigation.

The amended proclamation allows the SIU to investigate the admission, registration and awarding of all degrees at the university. This includes Bachelors degrees, Honours degrees, Masters degrees and PhDs. It also covers cases where individuals may have been admitted without required qualifications or where university rules and procedures were bypassed.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago on Sunday said the updated proclamation gives the Unit full authority to continue with its work. He said: “The judgment dated 23 October 2025 does not stop or hinder the SIU from fulfilling its mandate to investigate all qualifications at the University of Fort Hare, including those obtained by Premier Mabuyane.”

Kganyago said the SIU noted that the court had found no evidence to support claims that the Unit acted with malice during the investigation.

He added that the SIU will act on any wrongdoing uncovered during the investigation. He said: “Any evidence of criminal conduct found will be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority. The SIU will also use its powers to pursue civil action where necessary.”

The SIU said it remains focused on protecting public resources and ensuring accountability in public institutions while the investigation continues.