The ongoing investigation into alleged academic fraud at the University of Fort Hare has reached a critical juncture, with President Cyril Ramaphosa awaiting the final report from the Special Investigating Unit. This probe centers on claims that Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and others obtained qualifications irregularly, raising serious questions about governance and integrity in South African higher education institutions.

Established in 1916, the University of Fort Hare holds a storied place in South Africa's history as the alma mater of icons like Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, and Robert Sobukwe. Yet, over the past decade, it has been plagued by a series of scandals involving corruption, assassinations, and now academic misconduct. These issues have not only tarnished its legacy but also spotlighted systemic vulnerabilities across the nation's universities and colleges.

Roots of the University of Fort Hare Scandal

The troubles at Fort Hare escalated dramatically between 2022 and 2024, with the assassinations of senior leaders, including the vice-chancellor and registrar, linked to factional fights over tenders and appointments. This violence culminated in 25 arrests for fraud, corruption, kidnapping, and murder. Amid this chaos, allegations surfaced of widespread academic fraud, where degrees—from bachelor's to PhDs—were allegedly awarded without meeting standard prerequisites like prior qualifications or proper supervision.

A pivotal 2019 internal investigation commissioned by the university uncovered irregularities in postgraduate programs, particularly master's and doctoral levels. Students reportedly enrolled without honours degrees, submitted ghost-written theses prepared by peers, and graduated under lax oversight. This report implicated high-profile figures, triggering national attention.

Oscar Mabuyane's Involvement and Allegations

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, an ANC heavyweight, enrolled for a Master's in Public Administration at Fort Hare around 2019. Critics allege he lacked the required honours degree for entry, a standard prerequisite for postgraduate studies at South African universities. Further claims suggest his research proposal was largely drafted by postgraduate students with minimal personal input, violating academic protocols that demand original scholarly work from candidates.

Mabuyane was deregistered from the program in 2021 following the internal probe. Despite this, he has maintained the legitimacy of his qualifications and pursued legal avenues to challenge the scrutiny. The case exemplifies how political influence may intersect with academic processes, eroding public trust in higher education credentials.

The SIU Probe: Timeline and Scope

• 2022: President Ramaphosa issues Proclamation R.84, authorizing SIU to investigate Fort Hare's maladministration and corruption.
• 2023: Mabuyane secures a High Court interdict halting the SIU's probe into his qualifications, arguing it exceeded the proclamation's scope.
• 2024: Amended Proclamation 194 expands SIU mandate to include 'irregular registration or admission of ineligible persons to degrees,' covering master's programs.
• October 2025: High Court rules SIU's actions under original proclamation 'abusive and unconstitutional'; SIU confirms continuation under new terms.
• April 2026: EFF leader Julius Malema accuses Mabuyane of 'stealing' a degree; Mabuyane demands retraction and files defamation suit.
• May 2026: Ramaphosa states he awaits final SIU report, expected imminently.

The SIU's work encompasses not just Mabuyane but also former Public Service Minister Noxolo Kiviet and Buffalo City Mayor Princess Faku, probing undue favors in admissions and supervision.

Photo by Hennie Stander on Unsplash

Political Reactions and Legal Battles

The ANC in the Eastern Cape hailed the 2025 court ruling as a 'vindication,' with spokesperson Yanga Zicina decrying 'politically motivated witch-hunts.' Conversely, the EFF has aggressively pushed for transparency, welcoming the SIU extension and urging swift accountability to protect genuine graduates' opportunities.

Mabuyane's defamation case against Malema, filed in April 2026, underscores the probe's politicization. Malema's public statements labeling the degree 'fake' and calling for arrests have intensified scrutiny, while the Presidency confirms the investigation's independence.

At Fort Hare, turmoil persists: Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sakhela Buhlungu was suspended in April 2026 amid related governance issues, following October 2025 arson attacks that caused R500 million in damages, allegedly orchestrated to derail SIU disclosures.

Broader Context of Academic Fraud in South African Higher Education

Fort Hare's case is symptomatic of wider challenges. The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) reported 982 fraudulent qualification cases in 2018, with numbers surging amid economic pressures. Recent data highlights AI-driven plagiarism spikes: University of Pretoria logged 53 cases from 2024-2025, while Unisa and UJ report disciplinary backlogs from generative AI misuse.

Credential fraud undermines public service and corporate hiring, with experts linking it to underfunding—universities receive inadequate resources for verification systems. Bogus institutions proliferate, preying on aspiring students, while public figures' cases erode credential value.

Impacts on Stakeholders and Institutions

For students, eroded trust means diminished degree worth, fueling unemployment—SA's graduate joblessness hovers at 74% in some sectors. Faculty face moral dilemmas, with whistleblowers like Fort Hare's 2019 investigators facing arrests (later withdrawn).

Universities nationwide implement AI detection tools and stricter policies, but resource gaps persist. Fort Hare's reputation suffers, deterring enrolments and partnerships, while the SIU's civil recoveries could reclaim misallocated funds.

Reforms and Safeguards in South African Universities

In response, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) mandates digital verification via the National Learner Records Database. Universities like Stellenbosch and UCT pioneer blockchain for transcripts, ensuring tamper-proof records.

Step-by-step reforms include:

• Pre-admission audits for postgraduate entry.
• Mandatory plagiarism checks with tools like Turnitin.
• Ethics training for supervisors.
• SIU-style independent probes for complaints.

Stakeholders advocate multi-stakeholder oversight, blending DHET, SAQA, and university senates.

Photo by Timothy Barlin on Unsplash

Expert Perspectives and Future Outlook

Higher education experts like Prof. Jonathan Jansen emphasize cultural shifts: 'Integrity starts with leadership accountability.' Universities South Africa (USAf) condemns violence, urging funding for security and ethics programs.

As Ramaphosa reviews the SIU report, outcomes could include prosecutions, degree revocations, and policy overhauls. Positive precedents exist—recovered NSFAS funds (R1.7 billion in 2026)—signaling momentum. For South African higher education, restoring trust demands vigilance, technology, and unwavering commitment to merit-based advancement.

DHET's integrity guidelines offer a roadmap, positioning universities as pillars of credible talent development amid global scrutiny.