By OBAKENG MAJE
Democratic Alliance continues to be marred with qualifications scandal. The latest person to be accused of misleading the public over his qualifications is the DA Member of Parliament (MP) Joe McGluwa, who is also the former leader in the North West province.
It is alleged that on 5 April 2019, McGluwa released a media statement titled: “DA North West proudly introduces its candidates for the 2019 Elections” that he had Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration obtained from the University of Witswatersrand while contesting for the premiership position in the province.
However, Taung DailyNews understand that McGluwa has a postgraduate Diploma in Management obtained from the same institution which is contrary to what is written in the statement.
The statement says: “This list of candidates represents the diversity of North West. Our lists are diverse in every sense- race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, skills set, geography, class and the blend between youth and experience.
Our DA North West Premier candidate, Joe McGluwa who is also the provincial leader and a Member of Parliament holds the first position on the list.
Get to know your Premier candidate, Joe McGluwa:
I am Joe McGluwa, married to Nadia and father of two. I am a grandfather. I have been engaged in politics since a very young age, mainly through my father’s involvement and passion for always wanting to help people wherever I can.
My childhood stems from humble beginnings in Alabama, Klerksdorp. I am one of two brothers in a family of five children. My brother also share my passion for politics and is a Member of the Provincial Legislature in the Northern Cape.
My political career started at the age 24 when I became a councilor at Matlosana Municipality in North.
Now I am a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly, Leader of the DA in the North West and the NW Premier Candidate. I now serve a Shadow DA Minister for COGTA.
My tertiary education includes a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the University of Witswatersrand.
McGluwa poured cold water over these allegations and said ‘there is a smear campaign’ against him.
“Yes I do hold a post-graduate diploma in Management from Witwatersrand since 2015. Yes, Wits offers a post-graduate Diploma in Management, therefore, as per your request, I will WhatsApp you a copy of my post-graduate diploma.
“I also hold an Advanced Certificate in Governance and Public leadership for the year 2013. I have also registered the same year for my Masters in Management in the field of governance and Public Leadership of which I have only done/passed my qualitative research methods,” he said.
McGluwa added that due to his deployment to North West as the leader at a time, he was unable to complete his Masters Degree. He further said he takes the allegations that his qualification is questionable in a very serious light.
“There has been a concerted effort lately to make DA leaders academic credentials questionable and it is quite unfortunate. I am also mindful that 2021 is elections year and I am not surprised by these allegations as the same was raise in April 2019, of which I am under the opinion that it was responded to.
“I am not surprise, but politicking must not be done in such a malicious way. Yes, it could have been a sheer mistake but I take full responsibility for it because as the then provincial leader, I approved all statements and would want to admit that it is possible that I have approved the press statement during a very busy election time,” said McGluwa.
Meanwhile, the DA leader in North West, Leon Basson said: “We understand that McGluwa has postgraduate Diploma in Management and we are happy. What is depicted in a media statement might have been a typing error and we would not take him to task regarding that.”
The University of Witswaterand confirmed that they offer Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration, but it is not at liberty to divulge the confidential information about individuals unless certain processes were followed.
However, one of the DA leaders who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal said: “Clearly, the qualification that McGluwa stated is false and misleading. He basically misrepresented his qualifications because he cannot claim to have a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration which basically he does not have.
“In terms of the Act, a person is guilty of an offense, if such person falsely or fraudulently claims to be holding a qualification or part qualification registered on the NQF or awarded by an education institution, skills development provider, QC or obtained from a lawfully recognised foreign institution.”
The source said the law states that a person, who is found guilty of such an offense will be liable for a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years, or to both a fine and such imprisonment.
“In addition, if the wrongdoer is an employee, he/she might likely be charged and dismissed for misrepresentation/dishonesty. The government is cracking down on officials with fake qualifications after Parliament passed a bill that will force the state to root out people with such qualifications.
“The National Assembly agreed in the bill that those found with bogus qualifications will be named and shamed. So, there are two possible charges against McGluwa which are misconduct in terms of the SAQA Act by misrepresenting or lying about his academic qualifications on his Curriculum Vitae submitted to Parliament and knowingly making false statements in an affidavit concerning the said qualifications in contravention of the Justices of Peace and Commissioners of Oath Act.”
Source alleged that it was expected for the party leadership to take no actions against McGluwa because they targeting only black people.
The DA has recently suspended the Western Cape MEC for Transport, Bonginkosi Madikizela after revelations that he’s been misleading the public about the status of his academic qualifications. It is alleged that Madikizela claimed that he had completed his BCom Degree, while he did not.
The Guardian 