Media personality and former AmaZulu PR manager, Phumlani Dube says he was almost scammed just like a few other Mzanzi celebrities like Sello Maake KaNcube by the bogus Trinitity International Bible University. Maake kaNcube is the latest celebrity to be "honoured" with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Business Administration by the Trinity International Bible University. An excited Maake kaNcube, who attended the graduation ceremony at some warehouse was accompanied by his wife Pearl Mbewe Maake KaNcube.

HE SHARED WITH HIS FOLLOWERS 

Dube shared his story on how he was also duped into believing he would be honoured with a doctorate by the institution. Dube wrote on his timeline, "What happened to Sello Maake KaNcube almost happened to me. I was contacted by the university's Pinetown branch last year saying that they want to confer me with a doctorate for my role in making a difference in society through the Phumlani Dube Foundation. I was so happy that I was going to be Dr Dube. The story got me ruined when they told me to start by paying R15,000 for catering for the day of my graduation ceremony. That's when they gave it away and I suspected they were taking me for a ride. That's when I ran away and left them with their doctorate!"

MORE CELEBRITIES DUPED

The former Gagasi FM sports presenter is not the only celebrity who has been hoodwinked with a fake doctorate. Social butterfly and businesswoman, Shauwn Mpisane was honoured with a fake PhD by the same university in 2022 and the following year, they splashed one on gospel singer, Winnie Mashaba. Both celebs insist on being addressed as Doctors. The same varsity bestowed a Doctorate in Philosophy on the late gospel diva, Deborah Fraser in 2021. During the same ceremony where Maake kaNcube was honoured, so was his on-screen lover, Skeem Saam's award-winning actress, Elizabeth Serunye, who plays the role of Jacobeth Thobakgale. Trade unionist, Zwelinzima Vavi has come out to say he feels cheated after he was honoured with a bogus PhD by the same institution in 2018. Meanwhile, the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, confirmed that the institution was not registered with his department. He was critical of the bogus institution accusing them of preying on unsuspecting celebrities to gain credibility with the public. He said they will take legal action against such institutions. In an interview with Newzroom

Afrika, he said: "The reason the college is offering honorary doctorates to celebrities is because they want to sway the public, for people to think they are credible. The fact that the college is bogus will not change."