SIU to investigate alleged honours degree fraud and tenders at Fort Hare. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

THE Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has launched investigation into awarding of honours degrees at the University of Fort Hare in Alice, Eastern Cape.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed that the unit will probe allegations of maladministration in the awarding of honours degrees, mismanagement of funds and sourcing of public servants for study into various faculty programmes by ‘an individual’ for personal gain at the University of Fort Hare.

Kganyago said the SIU will also launch a probe into four irregular tenders at the University of Fort Hare.

“These include contacts for cleaning and gardening services, the leasing of student accommodation tender, the appointment of service provider for the maintenance and repair of air conditioning systems, and collusion between officials of the University and service providers, in which such officials held direct or indirect interests,” said Kganyago.

“Any unlawful or improper conduct by the officials, employees, service providers, suppliers to the university or any entity will be investigated by the SIU.”

The proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 1 November 2012 and 5 August 2022.

Last year, UFH laid criminal charges against Nigerian fugitive Professor Edwin Ijeoma for the alleged irregular admission and registration of two students, including Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane.

Mabuyane was excluded from UFH’s master’s programme and deregistered as a student for not meeting the basic requirements.

He threatened to appeal.

The Eastern Cape premier was supervised by Ijeoma, who resigned after he was suspended for allegedly defrauding the university.

The allegations against him included that he irregularly registered axed health MEC Sindiswa Gomba for an honours degree in public administration.

The university also opened cases of theft of money, theft of a university vehicle, and fraud of about R5 million for sketchy and unauthorised academic work and programmes for the Eastern Cape legislature and municipal authorities without the knowledge and consent of the institution.

INSIDE EDUCATION

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