APA-Pretoria (South Africa) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed economist Thabi Leoka from his advisory panel as questions arose over her doctorate degree qualifications from a UK university, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed on Tuesday.
According to Magwenya, Leoka has been told about “the immediate termination of her membership in the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.”
Membership of the body “does not require formal vetting,” he said.
The council advises the president on “economic policies that spur inclusive growth,” its website said.
A well-known commentator and economist in South Africa, serving on several company boards as well as advising the government, Leoka’s troubles began when local journalists could not find a record of her PhD on the website of the London School of Economics that she claimed had awarded her the degree.
Leoka has denied misrepresenting her qualifications.
She resigned from boards of two well-known firms on Monday.
NM/jn/APA