South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has fired high-profile prominent economist Thabi Leoka from his Presidential advisory panel following questions over the legitimacy of her PhD.
President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that Leoka has been axed from Ramaphosa’s Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
“She was told about the immediate termination of her membership in the Presidential Economic Advisory Council,” Magwenya told the BBC.
In response to questions being raised about how Leoka was not properly vetted, Magwenya noted that membership of the body does not require formal vetting.
Furthermore, according to the presidency’s website, the council advises on economic policies that spur inclusive growth.
The axing comes following allegations that Leoka lied about having a PhD from the London School of Economics (LSE).
Leoka Exposed
LSE is reported to have found no records of Ms Leoka’s doctorate after several South African journalists raised concerns about her PhD’s legitimacy.
Specifically, the journalists included those from Daily Maverick and Business Day publications who have been trying to verify her PhD.
However, following the inquiry by these media personnel at the learning institution, it seemed that there was no record of Leoka’s doctorate.
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LSE noted that it had checked its files, finding no record of Thabi Leoka being awarded a PhD.
As such, after the institution’s revelation, the high ranked economist has since been forced to resign from the boards of two prominent South African.
Leoka had no choice but to resign from the boards of the companies including mobile phone company MTN SA and mining giant Anglo-American Platinum Limited on Monday, January 22.
Mining firm Anglo American Platinum Limited said Leoka stepped down from her position as a non-executive director in order to attend to her health and the questions she has been facing in relation to her academic qualifications.
Ramaphosa Sacks Leoka
On the same day, she was informed about the immediate termination of her membership in the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
The economist has since, however, denied misrepresenting her qualification when asked for evidence of her doctorate qualification.
She appeared on a local station Radio 702 after her story was published in the Business Day newspaper last week.
When asked if she misrepresented her qualifications, she responded, “the answer is a straight no.”
Also, according to earlier comments made on the Daily Maverick’s site, Leoka said that she had been busy and not had the time to get hold of her degree certificate.
“I’m not based in [South Africa] full time… I have been at the Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Hospital as I have glaucoma and have since lost sight in my right eye,” she said to the online publication.
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She further revealed that she was about to undergo surgery.
Denies Allegations
The economist also said that she had qualified under a different name which was why the LSE was not able to find evidence of her PhD when asked by journalists.
“You also don’t have my names as reflected on my degrees,” she added.
It is also reported that she had changed her name from Bathabile in 2018, according to South Africa’s News24 website.
Leoka could find herself being charged in South Africa under the National Qualifications Framework Amendment Act.
The Act kicked in late last year, making it an offence to knowingly provide false or misleading information about academic qualifications.
Thabi is a prominent economist, well-known for her economic commentary in South Africa.
She has also been serving on several boards as well as advising President Ramaphosa’s government.
