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University of Fort Hare turmoil deepens as vice-chancellor is suspended amid SIU investigation

Daily Maverick · · 715 words · By Siyabonga Goni
open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-13-university-of-fort-hare-turmo…

fact_checkFact-Check Results

19 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

schedule Pending 9
help Insufficient Evidence 5
check_circle Corroborated 3
verified Verified By Reference 2
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“Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fort Hare, has been suspended following a forensic audit.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent web sources confirm the suspension of Prof. Buhlungu following a forensic audit, including the University of Fort Hare's official statement and news outlets. Wikipedia corroborates his role as vice-chancellor.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Jane Seboletswe Mananiso (born 1983 or 1984) is a South African politician who has served as a Permanent Delegate to the National Council of Provinces from Gauteng for the African National Congress si…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Mananiso
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Mvuyo Tom is a South African doctor, administrator and academic, known for his tenure as the vice-chancellor of the University of Fort Hare from 2008 to 2016.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mvuyo_Tom
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Maxwell Sakhela Buhlungu is a South African sociology professor and university administrator. He is the current vice chancellor of University of Fort Hare and the former dean of humanities at Universi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakhela_Buhlungu
+ 3 more evidence sources
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“The investigation found that he and three other senior staff members broke university rules by hiring two executive directors without getting the necessary approval from the university council.”
CORROBORATED
Three distinct web search results independently report the investigation findings about Buhlungu and three senior staff violating university rules by hiring executives without council approval.
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web search NEUTRAL — 20 hours ago ·The investigation found that heand threeotherseniorstaffmembersbrokeuniversityrulesby hiringtwoexecutivedirectorswithoutgetting the necessaryapprovalfrom theuniversitycouncil.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-13-universit…
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web search NEUTRAL — Mar 31, 2026 ·Universityof Fort Hare vice-chancellor SakhelaBuhlunguhas been suspended,councilchair Siyanda Makaula confirmed in a statement on Tuesday evening.
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/2026-03-31-breaking-fort-ha…
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web search NEUTRAL — Apr 1, 2026 ·TheUniversityof Fort Hare’s (UFH) vice-chancellor, Professor SakhelaBuhlungu, has been suspended.Buhlunguwas placed on precautionary suspension on Tuesday.Threeotherseniormanagers were al…
https://www.joburgetc.com/news/university-of-fort-hare-suspe…
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“The council appointed Dr Nthabiseng Taole-Mjimba as acting vice-chancellor.”
CORROBORATED
Three web sources confirm Dr. Taole-Mjimba's appointment as acting vice-chancellor by the University of Fort Hare council.
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web search NEUTRAL — Mar 31, 2026 ·The council hasappointedthe deputyvice-chancellorfor research, partnerships and innovation,DrNthabisengTaole-Mjimba, to serve asactingvice-chancellor“until the conclusion of the ongoing …
https://www.news24.com/southafrica/education/fort-hare-place…
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web search NEUTRAL — Apr 2, 2026 ·The University of Fort Hare (UFH) Council hasappointedDeputyVice‑Chancellorfor Research, Partnerships and Innovation,DrNthabiTaole‑Mjimba, asActingVice‑Chancellorwith immediate effect.
https://www.ednews.africa/p/ufh-appoints-dr-nthabi-taolemjim…
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web search NEUTRAL — 20 hours ago ·Taole-Mjimba, who serves as deputyvice-chancellorof Research, Partnerships and Innovation, will lead the university until the disciplinary process is finalised.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-13-universit…
verified
“This institutional chaos coincides with an extensive Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe, authorised in October 2024 by an amended proclamation from President Cyril Ramaphosa.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
No evidence found in Wikipedia or web search results that directly supports the claim about the SIU probe being authorized in October 2024 by President Ramaphosa.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Joey Siu Lam (Chinese: 邵嵐; born 16 April 1999) is an American human rights activist. During her time in Hong Kong as a student in the City University of Hong Kong, she served as spokesperson of the Ho…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Siu
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Southern Illinois University (SIU) is a public research university in Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Chartered in 1869, SIU is the oldest and flagship campus of the Southern Illinois University …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Illinois_University_C…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Symbiosis International (Deemed University), is a multi-campus private, deemed university located in the city of Pune, India. The university is located in various campuses in Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderaba…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbiosis_International_Univer…
verified
“The investigation’s expanded scope now covers 20 years — from January 2004 to October 2024 — enabling a deep dive into two decades of potential systemic corruption.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia entries for unrelated topics provide no evidence about the SIU investigation's 20-year scope or the 2004-2024 timeframe.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024–25 SIU Edwardsville Cougars men's basketball team represented Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the 2024–25 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Cougars, led by sixth-year …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024–25_SIU_Edwardsville_Couga…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Interstate 69 (I-69) is a proposed Interstate Highway that will pass through the southeastern part of the US state of Arkansas. Signs indicating the corridor of the Interstate have been placed at vari…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_69_in_Arkansas
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The following is an overview of public housing estates in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong, including Home Ownership Scheme (HOS), Private Sector Participation Scheme (PSPS), Sandwich Class Housing Scheme (SCHS), …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_housing_estates_in_Tuen…
help
“Irregular admissions and awarding of degrees to people who were not eligible or didn’t meet the requirements, specifically within the Faculty of Health Sciences.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence found in any sources that directly supports or contradicts the claim about irregular admissions and degree awarding in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
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“Corruption and mismanagement regarding campus maintenance, student residence refurbishments (dating back to 2009), and the installation of CCTV and security systems at the Alice staff village.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence found in any sources that directly supports or contradicts the claim about mismanagement of campus maintenance and CCTV installation.
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“Serious maladministration in how student allowances for food, accommodation, books and stationery were administered and paid out.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence found in any sources that directly supports or contradicts the claim about maladministration in student allowance administration.
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“The unlawful appointment of a head of department and mismanagement of specific initiatives, such as the Nguni Cattle Development Trust and the Capacity Building Programme for the provincial legislature.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence found in any sources that directly supports or contradicts the claim about unlawful appointments and mismanagement of specific initiatives.
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“The investigation into the awarding of honours degrees in the Public Administration programme within the Department of Public Administration, covering the period 2004 to 2020, has been concluded.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence found in any sources that directly supports or contradicts the claim about the conclusion of the SIU investigation into honours degrees.
schedule
“The findings have been referred to the SIU’s Civil Litigation Unit for consideration and a decision on the possible revocation of qualifications that could have been irregularly awarded.”
PENDING
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“Investigations remain ongoing into the awarding of master’s degrees, the postdoctoral programme and the Albertina Sisulu Executive Leadership Programme.”
PENDING
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“This probe is also linked to the case of Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane.”
PENDING
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“In 2025, the Eastern Cape High Court in Bhisho ruled in Mabuyane's favour, declaring the SIU’s specific investigation into him “unconstitutional” and an “abuse of process” because it exceeded their authorised mandate at the time.”
PENDING
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“Mabuyane was allegedly registered for a master’s degree in Public Administration at Fort Hare University without having completed an honours degree.”
PENDING
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“Further allegations, as set out in court papers, include that postgraduate students did his research proposal for him with very little input from him. He was later deregistered from the programme.”
PENDING
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“The SIU’s investigation into infrastructure at Fort Hare was also ongoing, and that the SIU had identified instances of irregular appointments of service providers, collusion with officials and potential recoveries.”
PENDING
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“The investigation into the CCTV contracts [at the staff village] in Alice has not commenced due to limitations in the current proclamation.”
PENDING
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“The SIU said it expected to conclude its final report and submit its findings to Ramaphosa on 30 September.”
PENDING
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.