By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The new Public Service and Administration Minister, Noxolo Kiviet, is being investigated for possible fraud pertaining to her qualifications
In a sworn affidavit submitted by the university of Fort Hare to the SIU as part of its ongoing investigation into the degree mill at Fort Hare, it emerged that Kiviet fraudulently enrolled for honours and ‘degrees without having the undergraduate degreed required for enrolment.
Last year, the SIU announced it would be probing all allegations of maladministration at the university after allegations came to light in the awarding of Honours degrees from the institution.
Kiviet had obtained her Honours degree in administration as well as a Master’s degree in public administration at the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape.
She is alleged to have obtained these ‘academic achievements’ without her Bachelor’s degree.
In statement, the Democratic Alliance, says it is preparing to submit a request in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to obtain and expose proof that newly-appointed Kiviet committed fraud at the University.
Then Kiviet, was the premier of the Eastern Cape, “the elated premier said her graduation should inspire people to take education seriously as it forms an excellent foundation, not only for realisation of career dreams, but for the advancement of any nation.”
Fort Hare Alumni Affairs Director, Nomawabo Mntambo, welcomed the premier to the institution’s Alumni Association and Convocation.
“I know you could have chosen any other institution and yet you made the decision to honour us, thus joining the legions of African leaders who are counted among the illustrious alumni of this university. We thank you for the honour,” she said.
The DA said, “It appears that Kiviet is following in the footsteps of Murunwa Makwarele, the disgraced former Cope councillor who was caught out for submitting a fraudulent document to claim that he was not an unrehabilitated insolvent shortly after being elected mayor by the ANC and EFF. In this case, Kiviet has been found out for alleged fraudulent enrolment at Fort Hare.”
“It is yet another indictment on President Cyril Ramaphosa that he has not only appointed one of the biggest, most bloated and most expensive Cabinets on earth, but that he has packed his executive with incompetents and malcontents, added the DA.”
The specialised investigation team is also investigating four tenders which include contracts for cleaning and gardening services, leasing of student accommodations, as well as the appointment of the service provider responsible for the maintenance and repairing of air conditioning systems.
On Tuesday, March 7, Kiviet was sworn in by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, where she was appointed as one of the newest members of Ramaphosa’s newly established Cabinet.
Meanwhile the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is calling for the immediate resignation of Kiviet.
The party has also called for the 60-year-old former Eastern Cape premier to be barred from registering at any institution of higher learning.
“The corruption of the ANC knows no bounds, and this is further reason for all the people of South Africa to join the national shutdown on 20 March 2023, to uproot the massive corruption of the ruling party, that has filtered into academia,” the party said in a statement on Monday.
UDM leader General Bantu Holomisa publicly called on Kiviet to be arrested.
ANC Eastern Cape provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayithobi said: “We have been in contact with Minister Kiviet after seeing a … social media [post] around this matter. We are not convinced that she received fraudulent qualifications or she participated in any fraudulent activity in order to obtain these qualifications.”
The party said they trusted the minister’s account.
“She has been a reputable leader of our organisation and led our government with integrity wherever she has been deployed… the process of SIU should be given time and space to conclude its work.”
Ngcukayithobi added that the ANC would issue a comprehensive report after the SIU had completed its investigation.