NCOP chief whip is qualified: ANC

"The office of the ANC chief whip finds an investigation by Democratic Alliance into the academic qualifications of the National Council of Provinces chief whip Dr Hunadi Mateme outrageous, disturbing and racist," the ruling party said in a statement.

 

"It has come to our attention that DA MP Cathlene Labuschagne has written to Dr Mateme demanding that she furnish her with proof that she has obtained appropriate academic qualifications in line with her title."

 

Mateme has a master's degree in pharmacology and toxicology from Michigan State University.

 

"The Michigan University's records would indeed not show Dr Mateme's Doctor of Philosophy degree, as she only completed her course work [in research methodology, field work, and laboratory] with the institution before departing to South Africa in 1985 to continue her degree with Medical University of South Africa [Medunsa]," the ANC said.

 

"She obtained her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Medunsa in 1992."

 

Mateme said she wrote to Labuschagne to provide her with proof of the doctorate.

 

Labuschagne has since told Sapa she had no intention of publicising her request to Mateme for her records.

 

"I wrote a letter to her [Mateme] that's been given to her in person asking her to verify she has the qualification of a doctorate," Labuschagne said.

 

"It was between me as a whip of the DA and her as the chief whip."

 

Labuschagne denied she was conducting an investigation, and dismissed the allegations of racism.

 

"There's nothing racist about this. If you making use of a title, you have to have proof that you have that title," she said.

 

Labuschagne said she had yet to receive Mateme's qualifications.