Cape Town councillor Abdulkader Elyas ranked high on DA candidate list after faking degrees

Abdulkader ‘AK’ Elyas, a Cape Town councillor who pleaded guilty to providing false information regarding his academic qualifications, has been placed fourth on the Democratic Alliance (DA) proportional representation candidate list for the City of Cape Town.

Investigations revealed that Elyas had claimed to have studied medicine and actuarial science at the University of Cape Town (UCT). However, UCT confirmed its records did not show he completed these degrees, and the Health Professions Council of South Africa confirmed he was never registered as a qualified medical practitioner.

Elyas’s high ranking on the candidate list places him in a strong position to return to the city council if the DA secures sufficient seats. This development has drawn criticism from opposition parties and raised concerns among some members of the DA.