By Thapelo Molefe
Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has received the Vaal University of Technology’s (VUT) report on an alleged “degree-selling syndicate” at the institution, and will announce a way forward once he has reviewed it.
This was confirmed by his spokesperson, Matshepo Seedat, who told Inside Education: “I can confirm that the minister has received the report from the VUT. The minister will study it and communicate his decision in due course.”
The submission of the report follows Manamela’s directive last week ordering VUT to explain why it allegedly failed for more than a year to act on whistleblower claims that fraudulent qualifications were being sold, mainly for Congolese students, dating back to 2018.
The whistleblower alleged senior officials ignored repeated alerts and that implicated individuals continued to access the campus while recruiting prospective students for 2026.
In his letter to the VUT Council Chairperson, Manamela demanded an explanation for the reported 12-month delay, evidence that consequence management is underway, and immediate safeguards to protect the 2026 registration process from manipulation.
He also warned that the matter could be escalated to the Hawks if VUT’s internal processes fall short.
VUT confirmed that the allegations formed part of a wider probe into irregularities at the institution, and said consequence management measures were already in motion.
INSIDE EDUCATION
