Netcare acknowledges awareness that Thabi Leoka lacked a Ph.D.
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K News
On
23/01/2024Reading time:
4 min
Summary:
The private healthcare conglomerate, Netcare, has conceded that it was aware of the absence of a Ph.D. qualification held by 'economist' Thabi Leoka as early as November 2021. However, the company opted not to delve deeper into the matter after receiving commendatory references asserting her professionalism and unassailable integrity.
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Leoka's association with Netcare spanned from March 2022 to January 2023, during which she served on their board. Her resignation was attributed to a conflict of interest arising from her concurrent board position at Remgro.
Charles Vikisi, General Counsel and Group Secretary of Netcare Limited, revealed that a background check on Leoka was conducted through an external integrity assessment firm. The investigation unveiled that her highest qualifications were a Master of Arts from Wits University and a Master of Science in economic history from the London School of Economics.
Despite the absence of a Ph.D., the report lauded her as a "consummate professional" held in "high esteem," with referees attesting to her "above reproach" integrity. In a recent statement, Vikisi acknowledged the oversight, expressing regret that proactive inquiries were not made into the absence of the Ph.D. qualification mentioned in her curriculum vitae.
He conceded that the healthcare group should have exercised greater diligence in verifying the accuracy of Leoka's CV, particularly regarding her purported Ph.D. He emphasized that lessons had been learned, and future verification processes would be more robust and comprehensive.
Amidst this revelation, industry leaders, including Standard Bank Group CEO Sim Tshabalala, avoided addressing whether they had vetted Leoka, citing the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Leoka's professional journey encompasses roles as the head of economic research at Standard Bank, economist positions at Investec and Barclays, and Chief Economist for Renaissance Capital.
In 2017, she earned the title of Economist of the Year from ABSIP, the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals. Recent reports have hinted at her removal from President Cyril Ramaphosa's Presidential Economic Advisory Council, though no official statement has been issued.
Notably, Leoka has denied any fabrication of her Ph.D., and despite the ongoing scrutiny, she stepped down this week from board positions at MTN South Africa and Anglo American Platinum. Currently in the United States for medical treatment, Leoka's professional integrity remains under intense public scrutiny. The unfolding events underscore the need for enhanced verification processes within corporate structures, and Netcare has pledged to fortify its procedures moving forward.
Source: IOL
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