By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former prisons boss Arthur Fraser’s attorney Eric Mabuza has released a statement lambasting investigative journalist and author Jacques Pauw’s City Press article.
Pauw wrote that during his investigation for the follow-up book of The President’s keepers, he found that Fraser never set foot in the University of London.
On Monday, Mabuza said that his client did not owe Pauw an explanation and accused him (Pauw) of penning the article only to deflect attention from his unlawful conduct.
“For the record, these allegations are not only false, but also vindictive, “said Mabuza.
“They are a fabrication designed to retaliate for breach of the law wherein he was recently found by the SSA to be in unlawful possession of state documents.”
Mabuza said that there was a reason why the government, including the Cabinet would have had to satisfy itself about Fraser’s bona fides and qualifications.
“It is therefore preposterous, and shameful for Pauw and the City Press to suggest that Fraser does not have the qualifications that are recorded in his official CV.”
Mabuza in the statement attached a confirmation letter by the University of the Arts London, saying his client completed a (BA) Honours in film and television back in 1995.
He said that any member of the public was free to contact the university registrar for verification of the qualification.
Pauw said that during his investigation, he could not find the ‘London Institute’ in a list of all 18 universities in London.
“The British Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) doesn’t name a London Institute. Neither does the Study-UK British Council or the UK Council for International Student Affairs. There is a London Film Institute, but it doesn’t offer university degrees and doesn’t even have a website. There are 18 universities in London, and the London Institute is not one of them,” said Pauw.
However, the letter from the university, signed by the registrar Stephen Marshall, says: “The London Institute received university status from the privy council and was inaugurated as University of London in May 2004.
“Therefore It is no longer possible to replace or amend London institute degrees, diploma of higher education or certificates of higher education…
“I hereby confirm that Arthur succesfully completed the Bachelor of Arts )BA) Honours Film and Television and was awarded and ‘upper second class Honours (2.1) by the examination board held on 30 June 1995. Certificate number 13870 was issued to reflect this archievement, ” reads the letter.
Fraser served as the department of correctional services commissioner until 2021 when his contract expired.