Manamela urges VUT to safeguard 2026 academic year amid fake degree scandal

Higher Education Minister, Buti Manamela, has urged the Council of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) to implement strong measures to protect the integrity of the 2026 academic year amid the unfolding scandal over fraudulent qualifications.

The institution is facing allegations of a criminal syndicate selling fake degrees and illegally registering foreign nationals.

The council has since launched an independent forensic investigation to determine the scale of the scheme and assess how management responded.

The minister has welcomed the university council’s resolutions to institute an investigation, stressing that the issuing of fake degrees is a criminal offence.

He says if the university’s internal processes fail, the matter will be handed over to the Hawks.

“It is deeply concerning that the oversight body of the institution was kept in the dark regarding allegations that threaten the core academic integrity of the university.”

Manamela has also requested a brief on the immediate interim measures being implemented to safeguard the 2026 registration process.

“We have asked the Council to confirm specifically how they will verify the credentials of foreign nationals and applicants claiming ‘recognition of prior learning’ during this registration window,” he said.

“We also expect immediate consequence management for any staff members implicated, to prevent them from accessing the university’s IT systems while the investigation is underway.”

The minister has also expressed support for the institution’s council in rooting out corruption.

I can tell you for sure that there are people who sell qualifications at VUT, and that one is not even a question.

There is a lot of corruption happening at VUT, from selling qualifications, selling acceptance and registration positions even without meeting requirements, selling… pic.twitter.com/5qqDXth0Ew

— Oarabile Tshwagong (@ActionSA_2026) December 4, 2025