Malawian socialite Phemphero Mphande has spoken on the controversy surrounding his fake honorary doctorate, which he claimed was awarded to him by the University of South Africa (Unisa).
A few days ago, Mphande told the local media that he has been awarded an honorary doctorate in community development by Unisa.
His reaction comes a few hours after Unisa issued a statement refuting claimed that it coffered honorary doctorate degrees to Mphande, musician Patience Namadingo and Mansoor Sharif Karim.
Unisa has said relevant officials within the university have been directed to look into this matter and ensure that ‘these individuals’ are held to account and also made to retract any false claims
Mphande said earlier this year, he was contacted by individuals who have been awarding honorary Doctorates on behalf of UNISA and that they felt they could recognise our work.
These individuals, according to him,have previously recognised others at ceremonies held at UNISA campus and other campuses.
“I was recognised at ceremony alongside other individuals from Zimbabwe, Botswana, Congo, South Africa and Nigeria. This ceremony was organised and conducted by the same individuals that have been doing this for years
“If UNISA is denying this today, either they are a part of the scam or they too are being scammed. I personally would be happy to work with UNISA to get to the bottom of this. Our team will investigate and would love to meet with officials from UNISA to understand how this has happened under their nose for years.
“Pemphero Mphande and others are not scammers, criminals or otherwise. If anything they are victims of a scam that UNISA can explain better. I believe in my work and its impact. It is valid and evident to all. To this effect, until UNISA can explain how this has been allowed to happen for years, I reserve any further comments on the matter,” reads part of the statement
According to a statement signed by Unisa Acting Registrar, Professor Moloko Sepota states that it has no conferred any such degrees on the trio and that any assertion to this effect is simply not true.
“These three individuals are also not amongst the candidates considered and approved for the awarding of honorary doctorates in 2020, 2021 and 2023.
“Neither have they ever been nominated, considered or approved for such honours at any period whatsoever. No honorary degrees were awarded in 2022 Furthermore, the certificates displayed by Messrs Mphande and Namadingo respectively are definitely not Unisa degree certificates”, said Sepota.
