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Deputy Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela will embark on a public awareness campaign on bogus colleges in Cape Town on Thursday.
Manamela said in a statement on Wednesday that private colleges and institutions that are not compliant will be sanctioned accordingly and under the jurisdiction of the relevant law enforcement agents and authorities.
“The campaign will include the dissemination of information on the site visits. In terms of the relevant legislation, the Department of Higher Education and Training has the statutory responsibility to regulate activities of private higher education institutions operating in South Africa,” said Manamela.
Earlier this year, the Minister of Higher Education Dr Blade Nzimande said these institutions lure and mislead prospective students into believing that they offer qualifications recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
Nzimande urged students and parents to first verify if institutions are registered with the department.
“These illegal colleges offer compromised qualifications which are not recognised for employment purposes or for further studying,” said the minister in a statement.
Nzimande added that the department is working closely with law enforcement agencies to close down these colleges.
He advised students who want to enroll at private colleges to check the registration status of such private colleges with the department or to contact the relevant SETA or SAQA directly.
Students can also contact the department through its toll-free number 0800 872 222.
“Alternatively, students can log on to the website of the department where the ‘Register of Private Colleges’ is published and updated on a regular basis.
“The website address is www.dhet.gov.za/resources/registers.”
The Polokwane Observer reported on 4 May 2023 that Salome Judith Ngwana, 54, the owner of a alleged bogus nursing college who faces over 90 counts of fraud for defrauding nursing students, was granted bail of R15,000 by the Louis Trichardt Magistrate’s Court on 19 April.
Ngwana allegedly evaded the law for more than six years, but was arrested on 10 March as she arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on a flight from Zimbabwe.
She allegedly benefitted over R2 million through her ‘scheme’.
She was arrested by Makhado detectives after a tip-off and now faces 13 charges in Louis Trichardt, 40 cases in Thohoyandou and 43 at Morebeng, among others.
ALSO READ: Higher education dept warns students and parents against bogus colleges
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