Buffalo City Metro mayor Princess Faku says the suspension of her graduation by the University of Fort Hare in 2023 was a deliberate attempt by the institution to ruin her political career, resulting in severe reputational damage.
The suspension has since been lifted by the university amid a court battle, which she won earlier in 2024.
While Faku completed her law degree, the university reportedly delayed her graduation after an investigation into the awarding of qualifications at the university.
After the protracted wrangle between herself and the university, Faku is expected to finally graduate later in April.
Despite the suspension being lifted, she took the legal route in a bid to clear her name.
Through her lawyers, she demanded a public apology from the university in February, but the UFH failed to do so after it was given until February 29.
Faku’s spokesperson, Bongani Fuzile, described the dispute between Faku and the UFH as unnecessary.
“She had to take the matter to court where she emerged victorious from the stressful months of public scrutiny.
“This was a deliberate act.
“It was malicious and wilfully intended to cause damage to her character, her office as an executive mayor of the metro and her political career.
“The University of Fort Hare had no choice but to lift its suspension on her graduation early this year.
“The executive mayor accepted the upliftment of the suspension of her graduation and that her LLB degree will be conferred on her at the next graduation ceremony scheduled for later in April.
“Quite upsetting was how the history of this dispute between the executive mayor and UFH attracted media attention.
“When the institution lifted the suspension, there was nothing much written about it.”
Fuzile said Faku stated in February that she was not prepared to withdraw her court application as requested by the university.
According to him, Faku suffered severe reputational damage in the eyes of the public and family.
“She lost her good standing in her family and, in particular, society in general,” Fuzile said.
However, Faku is prepared to accept a public apology from the institution.
In February, the mayor’s legal team wrote to the lawyers of UFH, asking for a public apology.
“They have failed to issue such an apology,” Fuzile said.
“The institution was given until February 29 to publish an apology in newspapers such as the Daily Dispatch, City Press and [on] UFH’s Facebook page.”
University spokesperson JP Roodt declined to comment on the issues raised by Faku.
“No further or new developments have emerged after the last report published by the Daily Dispatch,” he said.
Faku was among high-profile political leaders in the province whose UFH qualifications were under scrutiny by the Special Investigating Unit.
They include premier Oscar Mabuyane, who has also taken the university to court, and sports, recreation, arts and culture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe.
Mike Basopu, former ANC MP and provincial chair of Sanco, is also being probed in relation to his PhD in public administration.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago previously indicated that the unit did not comment while its investigations were under way.
The ANC has been backing its leaders, insisting that they remained innocent until proven guilty.
After fears were raised that the saga could put Faku’s position as BCM mayor at risk, the party made it clear that it had her back.
Commenting previously on the Faku graduation debacle, provincial spokesperson Loyiso Magqashela said the mayor had no issue in the organisation which could be as a result of non-graduation at Fort Hare.
“The university does not dispute the fact that she has studied there but they say they are still verifying certain issues best known to them,” Magqashela said at the time.
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