SIU Reaffirms Power to Probe UFH Degrees After Court Ruling

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says a recent High Court judgment from the Eastern Cape does not block or limit its ongoing investigation into qualifications awarded at the University of Fort Hare. The ruling relates to Proclamation 84 of 2022, which has since been amended.

What Happened

The High Court in Bhisho delivered a judgment on 23 October 2025 regarding Proclamation 84 of 2022, which originally authorised the SIU to investigate the awarding of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Fort Hare.

The SIU notes that the ruling is based on the earlier version of the Proclamation and does not apply to the amended directive currently in effect.

The Unit explains that a 20 June 2023 order temporarily halted only the part of the investigation involving Premier Oscar Mabuyane, pending a full determination of Part B the section addressing the admission process and the awarding of his Master’s degree.

Judge T.V. Norman’s ruling also made two key points:

• Paragraph 66: If evidence pointed to unlawful conduct involving a Master’s degree, the SIU could submit a motivation to the President for a revised or expanded proclamation.
• Paragraph 83: Although the applicant alleged malice, “there is no evidence of such malice.”

These judicial findings reaffirmed the Unit’s ability to seek expanded investigative authority when necessary.

Official Response

The SIU says its amended Proclamation 194 of 2024 now explicitly includes investigations into:

• Admissions and registration irregularities
• Awarding of Bachelor’s, Honours, Master’s and PhD degrees
• Individuals admitted or awarded degrees without meeting university standards
• Conduct contrary to Fort Hare’s manuals, policies, prescripts or procedures

The SIU asserted that the recent judgment does not restrict its mandate. Instead, the amendment stemmed from evidence uncovered during the initial investigation, which indicated the need for a broader scope.

The Unit confirms that the ruling “does not stop or hinder” its work, including matters involving Premier Mabuyane.

Under the SIU Act, any criminal evidence will be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), while civil recovery proceedings may be initiated in the High Court or Special Tribunal.

Community Impact

The clarification is expected to settle public confusion over whether the SIU’s Fort Hare investigation was halted. The continued probe aims to protect the integrity of higher education qualifications and address allegations of maladministration, fraud, or corruption.