Following explosive claims of a "degree-selling syndicate" and accusations that the university disregarded a warning from a whistleblower dating back to August 2024, Vaal University of Technology (VUT) has taken steps to correct the record.
Media reports have thrust VUT into the spotlight after allegations surfaced of a long-running degree-selling scheme allegedly involving foreign nationals, drawing serious concern from Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela. The claims were first raised more than a year ago by a whistleblower who alerted senior management to suspected fraudulent qualifications reportedly sold, mainly to Congolese students, since 2018.
Despite repeatedly flagging the matter and urging the university to scrutinise questionable B.Tech registrations and past graduates, the warnings appear to have gone unheeded.
Manamela stated that the accusations are far too serious and the potential harm to the nation's qualifications framework is far too great for a passive approach. The ministry disclosed that it had originally decided to wait for the results of VUT's internal investigation.
He shared that he was particularly disturbed by claims that senior VUT executives may have sat on credible whistleblower evidence for more than a year without taking meaningful action.
Manamela criticised what he described as “unacceptable administrative delays” in the face of allegations that could compromise the integrity of the 2026 student intake.
"It is unacceptable for allegations of this magnitude, which threaten the integrity of our National Qualifications Framework to be met with administrative delays. If management knew about this a year ago, as alleged, simply 'investigating' is no longer enough. We need to know why the perpetrators were supposedly left in the system to potentially corrupt the 2026 intake,” he added.
Manamela wrote a letter to the VUT Council Chairperson on December 3 demanding a preliminary report by December 5.
“Why was there an alleged 12-month delay in acting on the whistleblower's report. Proof that ‘consequence management’ is actively taking place. Immediate measures to ring-fence the 2026 registration process to protect it from further manipulation,” he said.
Manamela further stressed that degree-selling is a criminal offence and warned that if VUT’s internal processes fall short, the matter will be escalated to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).
Responding to the allegations, VUT said it had no knowledge of the whistleblower report, nor any related internal processes, until a media inquiry was brought to its attention on 13 November 2025, to which the university duly responded. VUT went on that an article was published by a Sunday newspaper on 30 November. ''This prompted the Council to request a full report from the Vice-Chancellor and Principal for consideration at a special Council meeting scheduled for 12 December 2025.”
Following correspondence from Manamela dated December 3, the Council’s Executive Committee convened an urgent meeting on December 4. An update report was prepared and submitted to the Minister on December 5.
“The Council’s Executive Committee resolved to institute an independent forensic investigation, which is to begin immediately and conclude within three months. This investigation will examine the allegations, review the handling of the whistleblower report, and undertake a systems integrity assessment of VUT’s admissions, registration, certification and student records processes to identify any vulnerabilities in the system,” the statement added.
The university has also written to Minister Buti Manamela to clarify the governance context, detail the actions taken so far, and reaffirm VUT’s commitment to accountability, integrity, and safeguarding the institution’s academic credibility.
The Council stressed that it views the allegations with utmost seriousness and will deliberate further on the matter at its meeting on 12 December 2025. Protecting the integrity of VUT qualifications, rebuilding stakeholder trust, and ensuring full accountability remain central to its approach. It said it is committed to a thorough, evidence-driven investigation that will guide decisive action.
“We urge all stakeholders to exercise restraint when commenting publicly on this sensitive matter, given its implications for our students, alumni, parents, funders, employees, and their families. Council will issue further updates as necessary as the investigation progresses,” it added.
The Star
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