Malawi’s socialite and writer Pemphero Mphande has offered to help University of South Africa in flushing out scammers in the awarding of honorary doctorate degrees.

The offer follows the recent statement by the University distancing itself from the honorary doctorate degrees awarded to Mphande and musician Patience Namadingo.

“UNISA wishes to state categorically that it has not conferred any such degrees on the trio and that any assertion to this effect is simply not true.

“As a university, we distance ourselves from these false claims and also condemn in the strongest terms the misuse of UNISA name for fraudulent conduct,” reads part of the statement.

Writing on his official Facebook page Mphande said officials from the University contacted him on the matter.

“Earlier this year, i was contacted by individuals who have been awarding honorary Doctorates on behalf of UNISA and that they felt they could recognise our work. These individuals have previously recognised others at ceremonies held at UNISA campus and other campuses.

“I was recognised at a well patronised ceremony alongside other individuals from Zimbabwe, Botswana, Congo, South Africa and Nigeria as per photo below. This ceremony was organised and conducted by the same individuals that have been doing this for years,” wrote Mphande.

He added: “If UNISA is denying this today, either they are a part of the scam or they too are being scammed. I personally would be happy to work with UNISA to get to the bottom of this. Our team will investigate and would love to meet with officials from UNISA to understand how this has happened under their nose for years.

“Pemphero Mphande and others are not scammers, criminals or otherwise. If anything they are victims of a scam that UNISA can explain better. I believe in my work and its impact. It is valid and evident to all.”

Meanwhile, the UNISA has vehemently rejected the doctorate degrees offered to the two.