I am certain that I am not alone in following the revelations about grand scale corruption at Fort Hare University, with much interest. That the hallowed halls of academia are not immune from the rampant corruption engulfing our country is a sobering and not all too unexpected development. Indeed, as financial scandals in virtually every other major university are uncovered, the cancer appears endemic.
Alarmingly, the corruption is not limited to procurement only, but has crossed over into the sale of fake degrees, and manipulation of results to enable entrance into post-graduate courses, such as masters and doctorates. While the availability of flimsy Doctorates and other post graduate qualifications abound on line in dubious localities, are well known, we are talking here about institutions of higher learning with long, illustrious histories, that have long enjoyed positive recognition all over the world.
This practise is essentially destroying the fabric of higher education qualifications in the country. The evidence is there for all to see, as more and more senior executives at state owned enterprises and agencies are called out for fake qualifications. Case in point, the CEO of the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) was recently suspended following the credibility of his qualifications. It was revealed that a doctorate that he recorded on his CV could be ‘bought’ for a small ‘support honorarium’ from the USA based Trinity International University.
There can be no doubt that the appointment of under or fraudulently qualified individuals to key positions, particularly at SOEs has led to huge financial losses and contributed to the collapse of service delivery in many areas. Daniel Mthimikulu was appointed Head of Engineering at Prasa on the basis of a slew of fake qualifications, both local and foreign. The entire ‘tall locomotive’ debacle at the Passenger Rail Agency (PRASA) from a few years ago which cost Prasa and taxpayers R2,6bn can be laid directly at his door.
The political class has not been spared, with 15 post graduate degrees awarded to senior politicians by Fort Hare being investigated by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
These include newly appointed Minister of Public Service and Administration Noxolo Kiviet, who is alleged to have received a post graduate degree without the pre-requisite undergraduate degree.
With the integrity of our degrees being impugned, the impact on students wanting to pursue post graduate courses in foreign countries is dire.
Those degrees aligned to professions such as accounting, medicine and engineering will also fall foul of increased scrutiny and cynicism by the public a large.
The brazen murder of three officials from Fort Hare who were investigating or who had uncovered malfeasance shows how high the stakes are.
It is incumbent on the powers that be take urgent measures to stop the rot, and restore the integrity of our higher education institutions.
Vijay Naidoo is the CEO of the Port Shepstone Business Forum. He writes in his personal capacity. The views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication.
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