South Africa’s Minister of Public Services and Administration, Noxolo Kiviet, is facing fraud charges, just days after taking office in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s new Cabinet.
In an affidavit submitted to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), Kiviet is accused of obtaining a bachelor’s and master’s degree despite not having a bachelor’s degree.
According to News24, when Kiviet registered for an honors degree, he only had a matric certificate and a short course certificate with handwritten results.
Controversy over University of Fort Hare degrees
In 2021, fraud about politicians getting degrees was discovered at the University of Fort Hare. About Professor Edwin Ijeoma irregularly admitting Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and former Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba to the university.
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Ijeoma, a Nigerian economics professor, fled but was later arrested. In 2021, his South African citizenship was also revoked after he falsely claimed that he was married to a South African woman.
Following the scandal, the SIU began investigating degree fraud at the University of Fort Hare.
Kiviet admits without proper qualifications
A News24 report said Kiviet’s degree fraud was revealed by a senior official at the university.
“There is no evidence that the candidate [Kiviet] received in honor through RPL [Recognition of Prior Learning]. The candidate applied for Hons and was accepted without NQF level 7 or equivalent or RPL, registered and passed the programme. After completing the Hons, the candidate applies for, registers, and passes the MPA [master’s in public administration] and the title was officially awarded on May 07, 2010,” reads part of the affidavit.
Kiviet told the publication that the allegations against him were “baseless and untrue”.
Kiviet is the former Premier of the Eastern Cape from 2009 to 2014. He is also the speaker of the Eastern Cape legislature.
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In a statement, the EFF said Kiviet had undermined the integrity of the University of Fort Hare.
“They have insulted the academic fraternity, and spat on millions of young people who worked hard to qualify and make a meaningful contribution to research and knowledge development,” the party said.
The EFF also called for Kiviet’s immediate resignation and for him to be banned from enrolling in higher education institutions.