Leading economist Thabi Leoka has continued to maintain she has a doctorate from the London School of Economics (LSE) despite the university confirming it has no evidence it granted her the degree. 

The 44-year-old has served on the boards of a number of SA companies and sits on the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

When the questions arose earlier in the week about her degree following a Business Day report, Leoka suggested journalists may have tried to verify her credentials using the wrong name. 

She officially changed her first name from Bathabile to Thabi in 2018. Other degree certificates awarded to her use the name "Bathabile Leoka" as far back as 2002.  

But the LSE said it had searched both names and drawn a blank. 

"We have checked our files and can find no record of 'Thabi Leoka', or 'Bathabile Leoka' (or Leoko), being awarded a PhD from LSE."

Leoka maintained to News24 that she was in possession of the degree and the certificate to prove it. 

She said that the degree – a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics – was awarded to her in November 2008. 

She provided an image of a facsimile of a certificate, but without the date on which it was awarded.

LSE, in response, said it could not "comment on a screenshot of a document". It suggested Leoka use a website that allows people to share verified copies of their UK degrees.  

Leoka, meanwhile, said she was having difficulty accessing the LSE’s student portal because she was travelling in the United States and was on her way to undergo an eye operation. 

She added she was also having connectivity issues with her mobile devices. 

She claimed she was in contact with the LSE and that they advised her how to access a letter from the university confirming that it had conferred the degree on her. 

Asked for her reaction to the LSE's statement that it had no record of the doctorate awarded to her, she said that the LSE often does not check records despite requests.

She added it would be better for her to personally use the student portal to access her records. Earlier, she undertook to provide News24 with a letter from the LSE's registrar confirming that she holds the qualification. 

She said she had the letter in her email inbox and would forward it, but neglected to do so.

A question of misrepresentation 

As questions continue to swirl around her degree, Leoka is considering legal action against Business Day.

A draft letter from her legal team argues that the newspaper caused "irreparable harm and damage" to her standing and reputation. 

"She has not misrepresented her qualifications and affirmed that she does hold a PhD in Economics and Economic History from the LSE," it states. 

The letter itself does not provide additional proof of the qualification, however. It says that Leoka will "release proof of her qualifications through her legal team and through the correct legal processes".

Under the National Qualifications Framework Amendment Act, which kicked in late last year, it is an offence to "knowingly provide false or misleading information" about your degree.