EFF leader Julius Malema addressing his supporters after his sentencing outside the KuGompo (formerly East London) Regional Court.
Rosetta Msimango/News24
EFF leader Julius Malema has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure the SIU investigation into alleged fraud at the University of Fort Hare is completed without delay or interference.Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane denied claims that he fraudulently obtained a degree,and threatened legal action against Malema for defamation.Malema criticised delays in the investigation,highlighting concerns over governance and accountability in South Africa’s higher education system.EFF leader Julius Malema wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa,insisting that the rule of law be upheld in the investigation into Eastern Cape ANC leaders’ involvement in fraud at the University of Fort Hare.
This after Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane threatened to take legal action against Malema if he did not retract his claim that Mabuyane had obtained his degree from the university fraudulently.
After his appearance in court in KuGompo (formerly East London) on Thursday,in which he was sentenced to an effective five years’ imprisonment,and granted leave to appeal,Malema fired broadsides against a variety of his perceived foes.
They included the allegation that Mabuyane had fraudulently obtained his master’s degree from University of Fort Hare,but had not been prosecuted.
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READ | Probe into alleged Fort Hare degrees fraud ongoing,says SIU
According to a statement from Mabuyane’s spokesperson,Sonwabo Mbananga,the premier “categorically” rejected the claims.
“These allegations are false and without merit. For the record,Premier Mabuyane wants to reiterate,once again,that he does not hold a master’s degree from the University of Fort Hare.”
ANC Eastern Cape chairperson Oscar Mabuyane.
ANC Eastern Cape/Facebook
“Furthermore,the matter relating to the premier and the University of Fort Hare is currently before the courts and is therefore sub judice. It would be improper and unlawful to ventilate its merits in the public domain while legal processes are under way.”
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Mbananga added:
It is both unfortunate and telling that Mr Malema continues to display a malicious fixation driven by political mischief on the person of Premier Mabuyane,instead of focusing on his own legal challenges.
“His focus should be more on showing remorse to the South African public for his egregious behaviour because,as a public representative,he has failed to respect the rule of law.
The statement reads:
Premier Mabuyane advises Mr Malema to draw the necessary lessons from this unfortunate episode of his life and become a better person and set a good example for his followers.
Mabuyane has instructed his legal representatives “to explore appropriate legal remedies in response to what appears to be a pattern of sustained and defamatory conduct by Mr Malema,” said Mbananga.
“The Republic of South Africa is a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law. No individual,regardless of their political standing,is above the law or when it suits them is entitled to weaponise public platforms to spread misinformation and defame others.”
Bring it on.
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) April 16,2026
In an apparent riposte,Malema wrote to Ramaphosa about the SIU investigation into Fort Hare,which he first promulgated in August 2022. In 2024,an extension of the investigation’s scope was signed off to include the fraudulent awarding of degrees.
READ | ‘It doesn’t have any effect on our probe’ – SIU on Mabuyane degree scandal court ruling
He expressed the EFF’s “deep concern regarding the prolonged delay in concluding investigations into serious allegations of academic fraud and maladministration at the University of Fort Hare,particularly those implicating senior African National Congress (ANC) leaders and public representatives,namely Mr Oscar Mabuyane,Premier of the Eastern Cape; Ms Princess Faku,Executive Mayor of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality; and Ms Noxolo Kiviet,former Minister of Public Service and Administration and current member of Parliament”.
“These allegations,which have been in the public domain for several years,bring up concerns on ethical leadership,institutional integrity,and the credibility of South Africa’s higher education system.
“The continued lack of resolution in these matters,despite the gravity of the claims,creates the perception that politically connected individuals are shielded from accountability,” wrote Malema.
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Malema noted that the SIU intended to complete the investigation by the end of September.
“While this commitment is noted,the absence of interim accountability measures or visible progress remains a cause for concern,” he added.
“Additionally,those implicated continue to occupy positions of authority and influence within the state. This undermines public confidence not only in the affected institution,but in the broader system of governance under your administration.”
He called on Ramaphosa to provide clarity on the status of the SIU investigations,ensure that the SIU is allowed to complete its work without political interference or delay,outline any interim findings or actions taken pending the expected release of the final report in September,and assure the nation that those found to have acted unlawfully or unethically will be held accountable,regardless of their political standing.
On Friday,Ramaphosa was on an official visit to Spain.
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