Note to Editors: Please find attached soundbites in English and isiXhosa by Nqaba Bhanga MPL.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane must resign from his position with immediate effect, as his latest actions show he clearly has something to hide.
The Premier’s desperate attempt to use the courts to stall a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into allegations that he tried to fake his way into a PhD through the University of Fort Hare is cause for serious alarm. If there is nothing to find, why not allow due process to take its course and be vindicated?
Not only is he attempting to block the investigation into the allegations against him, but he is seeking to have the entire investigation into maladministration at the university set aside. If successful, Mabuyane would effectively bar the SIU from concluding its investigation into former premier and current Public Service and Administration Minister, Noxolo Kiviet, and many other senior public officials.
Premier Mabuyane’s insistence that President Cyril Ramaphosa should have first consulted him before launching the investigation suggests that he considers himself above the law. His further assertions that the President should have sought his approval before authorising any investigation that involves Fort Hare suggests he wants to control the scope and direction of the investigation.
The Democratic Alliance believes in the supremacy of the rule of law, and no individual, regardless of their position, should obstruct justice.
Given the severity of the allegations and the Premier’s blatant attempt to interfere with an active investigation, the DA is calling on Premier Oscar Mabuyane to do the right thing and step down, with immediate effect.
The Premier is the first citizen of the province, and his conduct should be beyond reproach. He must resign before his actions bring the province into further disrepute.
The DA also notes the veiled threat of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee towards the University of Fort Hare, saying they were concerned that the handling of these investigations by the university might harm the institution itself, its partners and its alma mater.
The DA once again commends the University of Fort Hare for the steps it has taken to protect the reputation of this historic institution.
If anything, it is an embarrassment and disgrace that the actions of a few political elites and their own selfish interests have tarnished the reputation of an institution that has been instrumental in developing so many of our leaders.
The Eastern Cape deserves leadership that upholds the highest standards of integrity and transparency. The DA will continue to champion the principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance.