Manamela gives VUT until Friday to explain 12-month delay in the degree-selling probe

Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has given the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) until Friday to respond to concerns about an alleged degree-selling syndicate at the institution.

This comes amid a probe by the Vaal University of Technology into an employee at the centre of an alleged fraud scheme selling fake degrees to foreign nationals, including Congolese students.

The allegations date back to 2018.

It’s believed a whistleblower initially raised concerns about illegal registrations and irregular admissions, with senior management now accused of failing to act on the claims.

While the higher education ministry previously indicated it would await the outcome of the university’s internal probe, Manamela’s spokesperson Matshepo Seedat said the minister is now unhappy about the institution’s conduct.

“He is disturbed by allegations that senior management may have been in possession of credible evidence from a whistleblower for over a year without taking decisive action.”

Seedat said Manamela has written to the VUT council chairperson demanding answers by the end of the week.

“The minister has requested specific details on why there was an alleged 12-month delay in acting on the whistleblower's report, proof that "consequence management" is actively taking place, and immediate measures to ring-fence the 2026 registration process to protect it from further manipulation.”