AbaThembu king enters Mabuyane degree row, demands accountability

AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo has entered the fray over accusations that Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane obtained a master’s degree fraudulently from the University of Fort Hare. The premier has vehemently denied the accusations and his lawyers are demanding a retraction and apology from EFF leader Julius Malema, who revisited the controversy after the conclusion of sentencing in his firearms trial in KuGompo City last week. “Our client has not stolen any degree from the University of Fort Hare, including a master’s degree,” Mabuyane’s lawyers said in a letter to Malema.

“Indeed, he does not have a master’s degree from the University of Fort Hare and has never claimed to have one.” The EFF said the allegations had been in the public domain for years and did not originate from its leader. Dalindyebo slammed Mabuyane’s response at the weekend. “Let it be stated without ambiguity that the people of South Africa are not fools, and they will not be misled by carefully constructed denials that avoid the central issues under public discussion,” the king said through his spokesperson, Mayibuye Mandela.

“The premier’s admission that he does not hold a master’s degree from the University of Fort Hare does not resolve the matter. “Instead, it deepens long-standing public concern and raises further questions that have persisted for years. “Rather than providing full clarity, the response has been marked by selective disclosure and reliance on procedural and legal defences.

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“Hiding behind the term ‘sub judice’ is not accountability; it is avoidance. “His majesty further recalls that he previously took steps by opening a formal case relating to matters connected to the conduct of the premier.

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