The Citizen reports that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has confirmed that its investigation into alleged academic irregularities at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) will continue, despite a recent High Court ruling that declared an earlier probe into Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane unconstitutional.
The Bhisho High Court issued an order on 23 October 2025, finding the SIU’s initial investigation into Mabuyane, conducted under Proclamation 84 of 2022, to be an abuse of power and ultra vires. However, according to the investigating body, that ruling does not affect its current work, which is being conducted under an amended proclamation issued in 2024. The SIU explained that the original 2022 proclamation did not explicitly include master’s degrees or PhDs in its scope, which formed the basis of Mabuyane’s successful legal challenge. The question of constitutional validity stemmed from this omission, prompting the unit to exercise its powers and amend the proclamation.
The SIU emphasised that its investigation was not focused on any particular individual but rather on systemic irregularities at the institution. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago clarified that the unit would investigate all people who entered the master’s programme where procedures might not have been followed correctly. He added that if Mabuyane was among those involved in any irregularities, he would naturally be included in the investigation’s findings.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Enkosi Selane at The Citizen
- Read too, Mabuyane still in SIU crosshairs over degree, at SowetanLive
- And also, ANC accuses the SIU of harassing Eastern Cape Premier, at Newsday
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