Finance Ministers Van Rooyen's degree is legitimate

The parliamentary backbencher who suddenly appeared as President Jacob Zuma's replacement for Nhlanhla Nene, took the finance world by shock since many had never heard of him.

His academic qualifications, among them a clutch of certificates, came under immediate review, especially his best qualification, his masters degree.

This morning, Laura Pritsch, communications officer for the University of London, responding to a Daily Dispatch query, stated: " The University of London can confirm that David Douglas Des van Rooyen was awarded the degree of Master of Science in Finance (Economic Policy) on 31 December 2013 through our distance learning programmes."

As South Africa went into a financial, economic and social tailspin over the poleaxing of Nene and the appointment of the unknown Van Rooyen, sources close to the ministry were still fearful about Van Rooyen's almost zero experience of running the hottest, hardest Cabinet seat.

Van Rooyen's ability or will to hold to account a government under financial debt pressure not to splurge ahead of the elections and to put a stop to questionable multi-billion deals with the aviation and nuclear industries, has been questioned. ­