By ROSE ATHUMANI,
22nd February 2010,
Daily News
THE Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) said today that the doctoral degree and other academic credentials held by the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, Dr David Mathayo David, are authentic.
In a letter, signed by the TCU Executive Secretary, Professor Mayunga Nkunya, the commission cleared Dr Mathayo after he submitted his academic credentials for verification.
Dr Mathayo submitted to TCU, his Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine from Sokoine University of Agriculture (1997), Master of Agriculture Science from University of Pretoria in South Africa and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Animal Science from the University of Free State in South Africa (2003).
Dr Mathayo told 'Daily News' that he was happy having his name cleared following reports that he had forged the degrees.
"I am really happy after being cleared of the allegations that my degrees were obtained from unaccredited institutions. This has given me peace of mind," he said.
In the letter dated February 13, 2010, which 'Daily News' has a copy, the TCU states that it recognizes the validity of the degrees awarded to the deputy minister.
"TCU by virtues of its legal mandate given under the University Act of 2005 hereby recognizes the validity of your degree awards stated above and that all the awards have been granted by accredited and hence recognized university institutions," the letter reads in part.
The letter which was sent to the deputy minister was also copied to the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, the Minister for Education and Vocational Training, the Chief Secretary and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.
Efforts to contact the TCU executive secretary, Prof Nkunya, were futile.
When the TCU Public Relations Officer, Edward Mkaku, was contacted to confirm if the commission received Dr Mathayo's certificates for authentication, he declined to comment and directed this paper to wait for Prof Nkunya's return for more details on the issue.
Early this month, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Samuel Sitta, announced to the House that Dr Mathayo had presented to his office genuine credentials for his degrees.
Deputy Minister Mathayo was among a number of ministers and Members of Parliament alleged to possess fake degrees. They include the Minister for Industry, Trade and Marketing, Dr Mary Nagu, the Minister for East African Community, Dr Diodorus Kamala, the Deputy Minister for Labour, Employment and Youth Development, Dr Makongoro Mahanga and Deputy Minister for Defence and National Service Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi.
Others are the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner and MP for Ismani, Mr William Lukuvi, Lupa MP, Mr Victor Mwambalaswa and Busega MP Dr Raphael Chegeni.