Mabuyane fights back over Fort Hare de-registration claims

Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane says new evidence may support his claim that his de-registration from the University of Fort Hare was handled unfairly, as controversy around the matter resurfaces.

In a statement responding to renewed social media discussions, the Premier maintains that his removal from a Master’s programme was “irregular, procedurally flawed, and unjust.”

The issue has gained fresh attention after a sworn affidavit by a former University of Fort Hare Senate member emerged. According to the Premier’s office, the affidavit appears to back his version of events and raises concerns about how the university handled the process.

The statement further suggests there may have been “undue interference” involving the university’s Vice-Chancellor. However, these claims have not been independently confirmed.

For years, Mabuyane has faced allegations and public scrutiny over the circumstances of his academic registration and subsequent de-registration. His office says these claims damaged his reputation and were consistently rejected as unfounded.

Now, the emergence of the affidavit is being described by the Premier as both troubling and vindicating, pointing to the possibility that established university procedures may not have been followed.

The situation also appears to be linked to past tensions between Mabuyane and the university leadership, particularly during a period marked by student deaths and calls for accountability at the institution.

Why this matters in the Eastern Cape is clear. The University of Fort Hare is one of the province’s most important institutions, producing many of its political and professional leaders. Questions about governance, fairness, and political influence at the university affect public trust—not just in higher education, but in leadership across the province.

If proven, the allegations could have wider implications for how institutions handle academic processes and political figures in the Eastern Cape.

Mabuyane’s legal team is now reviewing the affidavit and may take further action. What steps will follow, and whether any formal investigation will be launched, has not been confirmed.

For now, the matter remains unresolved, with serious allegations on both sides and growing public interest in the outcome.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.