Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela Wants Answers After Alleged Rape Victim Silenced With Degree

• The Minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela, has reacted to allegations that a University of Cape Town student was offered a degree for her silence
• The student was allegedly raped on campus five years ago and was offered a pass mark in exchange for her to drop her case
• South Africans were horrified, and a man called for the Department of Higher Education to take action against the university

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered a range of criminal activities, including cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, taxi violence, police investigations, police shootouts, and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.

CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE — The Minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela, said the department had launched an investigation into allegations that a student was raped in 2020 and offered a degree for her silence.

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Manamela, speaking on Newzroom Afrika, said that the department would probe the alleged incident. According to Sunday World, Manamela said that he would require a formal report from the institution about the incident. The student, who was a post-graduate foreign national, was allegedly offered a degree in return for her silence in May.

The victim reportedly declined the offer, and the case went to court. Manamla said that his office engaged with the complainant over two years ago when he was still the deputy minister. He was recently appointed as the Higher Education Minister after President Cyril Ramaphosa axed Dr Nobuhle Nkabane.

Why did the Department not probe it?

Manamela said that his office did not have prosecutorial or investigative powers. He said that allegations of maladministration can be reported to various institutions, including the University Council and the Public Protector. He said, however, that should evidence of non-conpliance, misuse of public funds, or abuse of process be found, the department will investigate.

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What did the University say?

The University's spokesperson, Elijah Moholoa, said that the case was closed. He said that the Western Cape High Court blocked the alleged victim from publishing defamatory statements about the university on social media. He said that the South African Police Service and the Presidency found no evidence to support the allegations.

Recently, the University of Limpopo suspended a student who allegedly tried to rape another student. The university also provided the victim with psychosocial assistance.

What did South Africans say?

Netizens commenting on Facebook shared different views on the alleged incident.

Mao Jnr said:

"Things happening in South Africa these days are beyond comprehension. All is crumbling as if there's no government in place."

Ngconde asked:

"Does marking not go through the process of moderation? Or is that process biased as well?"

Nhlakanipho said:

"After UCT, please go to UKZN."

Issa Mess asked:

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"Is he ever going to get to the SETA corruption?"

AllogusChild said:

"I give him three months before the next R700 million goes missing."

SAPS arrests Free State father for allegedly raping daughters

In a related article, Briefly News reported that the South African Police Service arrested a Free State father who allegedly raped his two daughters from 2016 to 2025. One of the victims reported the incidents to their mother, who lived in another area.

The man allegedly raped them when they were 10 and 154 and threatened to shoot them if they reported the incident. He was arrested after the police tracked him to a house in Welkom.

Source: Briefly News