EXCLUSIVE: Fake degrees and phantom gigs — the bogus claims of DA candidate Abdulkader Elyas
Emails from high-ranking DA electoral candidate Abdulkader Elyas during his time serving on the University of Cape Town SRC appear to be littered with false claims.
In 2018, Abdulkader Elyas, a Democratic Alliance (DA) student representative at the University of Cape Town (UCT), claimed to be an in-demand speaker for major corporations and international foundations while still a student. Emails from his time serving on the UCT Student Representative Council (SRC) reveal that he made false claims about his professional affiliations and activities.
One such talk, scheduled for April 2019, was described as a "closed" event worth $3,500, where Elyas was to deliver an insider's briefing on "the kingmakers of the DA." However, the email appending proof of his speaking engagements purportedly came from an email address ending in the domain name of the Edmond de Rothschild Foundation.
Upon investigation, Daily Maverick found no trace of Bokamoso Philanthropic Organisation, Elyas Investment Inc, or three other companies listed by Elyas as majority shareholders. Teach Me 2, a successful South African tutoring platform, did confirm that Elyas applied to be a tutor but withdrew when documentary proof of his claimed qualifications was required.
Furthermore, the email containing Elyas's "speaking engagements" mentioned that venues would only be disclosed via a phone call two days prior and that these talks were part of his "Scholarship with 'Ax Cap' and its subsidiaries." No such entity as "Ax Cap" could be found, suggesting that the entire affair may have been a fabrication.
Elyas's involvement in DA student politics began in 2019 after he was elected onto the UCT SRC as a Democratic Alliance Students Organisation candidate.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
