MALEMA FACES LEGAL HEAT AS MABUYANE MOVES TO SUE OVER ‘FAKE DEGREE’ CLAIMS

Eastern Cape Premier slams EFF leader’s ‘motormouth’ attack outside court; says convicted Malema should show remorse, not ‘weaponise public platforms’  

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane instructed his lawyers to sue EFF leader Julius Malema over claims that the Premier holds a fraudulent master’s degree from the University of Fort Hare.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief

The Azanian | Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.  

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East London, 17 April 2026— EFF leader Julius Malema is in fresh legal trouble after Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane instructed his lawyers to sue over claims that the Premier holds a fraudulent master’s degree from the University of Fort Hare.

Mabuyane rejected Malema’s allegations as “false and without merit”, stating categorically: “I do not hold a Master’s degree from the University of Fort Hare.”

The clash erupted on Thursday when Malema addressed supporters outside the East London Magistrates’ Court following his sentencing in a firearm-related case.

He told police officers at the precinct to arrest Mabuyane, claiming: “A lot of ANC people are graduating from the University of Fort Hare, and a majority of their qualifications are fake qualifications.”

Mabuyane’s spokesperson Sonwabo Mbangana said the Premier viewed Malema’s remarks “with concern” and called them part of a “pattern of defamatory and politically motivated attacks.”

“Mr. Malema has just been convicted and sentenced to direct imprisonment by a court of law for his reckless behaviour of discharging a firearm in public,” Mbangana said. “His focus should be more on showing remorse to the South African public… he has failed to respect the rule of law.”

Mbangana added that the University of Fort Hare matter is sub judice, as Mabuyane is challenging his 2021 deregistration in court after the university found proper admission procedures were not followed. 

“Premier Mabuyane advises Malema to draw the necessary lessons from this unfortunate episode of his life and become a better person and set a good example for his followers,” Mbangana said.

The Premier’s office accused Malema of trying to “dictate to law enforcement agencies how they should execute their constitutional mandate” and “weaponise public platforms to spread misinformation and defame others.”

“The Republic of South Africa is a Constitutional Democracy governed by the rule of law. No individual, regardless of their political standing, is above the law,” Mbangana said.

Mabuyane confirmed his legal team is exploring “appropriate legal remedies” in response to what he called “sustained defamatory conduct.” He said he “will not be distracted by political grandstanding or malicious attacks on his character.”

Malema was sentenced on Thursday to five years’ direct imprisonment for unlawfully discharging a firearm during a 2018 rally. He was released on warning pending an appeal. He was previously found guilty in September last year on five charges under the Firearms Control Act.

The Mabuyane allegations add to long-standing controversy over the Premier’s master’s registration at Fort Hare. Mabuyane was deregistered in 2021 and is contesting the matter in court.