The Eastern Cape ANC has celebrated a high court ruling that set aside an original Special Investigating Unit proclamation targeting Premier Oscar Mabuyane over academic fraud allegations at the University of Fort Hare. However, the SIU has clarified that an amended proclamation allows the investigation to proceed. The ruling, issued on October 23, 2025, declared the initial probe unconstitutional but does not halt the broader inquiry into university qualifications.
On October 23, 2025, the Bisho High Court, under Acting Justice Ntsikelelo Mtshabe, ruled in favor of Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, declaring the Special Investigating Unit's (SIU) investigation into his academic qualifications at the University of Fort Hare unconstitutional and an abuse of process. The court set aside the SIU's decision based on Proclamation R 84 of 2022 and ordered the SIU to pay legal costs, including counsel fees.
The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape issued a statement on November 16, 2025, welcoming the judgment as a vindication of Mabuyane. Provincial spokesperson Yanga Zicina said, “This judgment not only restores the honour and integrity of a dedicated servant of the people, but also sends a clear message that the rule of law will not be compromised by politically motivated witch-hunts.” The ANC reaffirmed its unconditional support for Mabuyane, condemning the probe as an attack on the party by counter-revolutionary elements and calling on the university to desist from baseless allegations.
However, SIU spokesperson Kaiser Kganyago emphasized that the ruling does not impede the ongoing investigation. He noted that the judgment pertains to the original 2022 proclamation, which was superseded by Proclamation 194 of 2024. This amendment extends the SIU's mandate to probe irregularities in the registration and awarding of degrees, including master's degrees, to ineligible persons at Fort Hare. Kganyago stated, “The judgment issued on 23 October 2025 does not prevent the SIU from continuing its investigation.”
Allegations against Mabuyane include enrolling in a master's in Public Administration without an honours degree and minimal input into his research proposal, which was reportedly done by postgraduate students. He was later deregistered. Earlier, on June 20, 2023, an interdict temporarily halted the probe pending review. Judge Thandi Norman had allowed the SIU to seek an amended proclamation, finding no evidence of malice.
University of Fort Hare communications director JP Roodt clarified that the ruling has no effect on the amended proclamation, urging accurate reporting to avoid public confusion. Mabuyane's spokesperson, Sonwabo Mbananga, said the premier has instructed his legal team to challenge his deregistration and the underlying forensic report. The SIU plans to refer any criminal evidence to the National Prosecuting Authority.