Magwala's matric is called into question

GEORGE NEWS - An alleged false matric certificate is the sword that hangs above the head of the suspended EFF provincial secretary, Mbulelo Magwala."There are a few other matters as well, but the matric certificate is the main allegation against Magwala," said EFF Provincial Chair Unathi Ntame.

Magwala's disciplinary hearing is still ongoing. Ntame said it is not clear at this stage whether Magwala will lose his EFF membership as well as the position of provincial secretary, should he be found guilty.

Enquiries have been sent to Murray High School in Plettenberg Bay regarding verification of Magwala's matric certificate. It is at this school where Magwala said he matriculated.

Millicent Merton of the Western Cape Department of Education said their records show that Magwala was indeed a learner at Murray High School in 2005 - the same year printed on the alleged false matric certificate.

Merton referred George Herald to Umalusi, the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, to verify the matric certificate.

Umalusi verification department said they do not deal directly with queries regarding the authenticity of qualifications from individuals, but has contracted "verification clients” for this purpose.

"Any interested party is free to make use of any verification agency, the names of which are available on the Umalusi website (www.umalusi.org.za). In doing that, the parties concerned will have to ensure that it complies fully with the relevant provisions of the POPI Act," said Kgomotso Ntsie, assistant manager for verification at Umalusi.

Emojis

Magwala responded with teary-eyed laughing emojis when asked about his alleged false matric certificate. He referred George Herald to "whoever gave us confirmation" for comment on the matter.

In an interview some two years ago, in November 2022, Magwala spoke to freelance journalist Zama Gagu who writes for George Herald. It was shortly after Magwala's election as provincial secretary of the EFF the previous month. Magwala said he attended school in various places in South Africa, including Middelburg/eMetele (Eastern Cape), Pretoria and Plettenberg Bay, where he matriculated at Murray High School.

A letter from the office of EFF Secretary General Marshall Dlamini dates Magwala's suspension from 25 June, about two months ago. Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary Thozama Mangcayi acts in Magwala's position as provincial secretary.

The good old days. During the George by-election in Ward 11 on 1 February 2017, Mbulelo Magwala (left) as the convenor of the EFF in the Southern Cape and Helen Zille as Western Cape Premier (next to him), danced in Ngcakani Street in Thembalethu. Photo: Michelle Pienaar