New students flocking to Pretoria have been warned to be wary of criminals.
They were often easy prey to unscrupulous
operators, said central police spokesperson Captain Augustinah Selepe.
This time of the year usually brings to the city scores of new students desperate for accommodation near tertiary institutions.
Selepe said in recent years the central police station had often seen students being robbed by criminals pretending to be working with rental agencies.
“We have not recorded such crimes so far this year, but this does not mean there are no criminals preying on innocent people.”
Selepe said students needed to be more vigilant when acquiring information on accommodation.
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“They should do research and find an accredited rental agent who won’t rob them of their hard-earned money,” she said.
Selepe said apart from dodgy accommodation deals, students should not fall victim to of bogus colleges mushrooming in the city.
“Only the department of higher learning and training can verify if a college is legitimate or not,” she said.
“They must also pay attention to news sites as information on the availability of space can be accessed from.”
Last year, the department of higher education and training issued statements warning prospective students against bogus colleges offering unrecognised and unregistered qualifications.
It said these colleges were targeting unsuspecting students.
“Students should first verify information on the department’s website to ascertain the legality of any programme offered,” it said .
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Lists of registered private higher education institutions, private Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and skills providers were available on the department’s website: www.dhet.gov.za/SitePages/DocRegisters.aspx
Young people also came from as far as Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape to Pretoria to look for jobs.
They were often duped by prowling criminals who promise to help them find work.
“A fee is then requested from the desperate job seekers by the criminal,” she said.
Sunnyside anti-crime activist Vukosi Mathale said new students should check with the department of higher learning on whether colleges are registered.
“It is best that they take all information to the department when intending to register. Some of the colleges are not registered and some people will find themselves wasting their money,” he warned.
Mathale advised those needing accommodation not to look for flats but apply for residences or communes.
“It is safer to seek accommodation at the campus residence.”
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City Property spokesperson Lize Nel said potential tenants should be vigilant when looking at available properties to let.
She said fraudsters often advertised a property for rent and conned the future tenant into paying a deposit into a bank account.
The victim discovered too late that the property concerned had never existed or was already occupied.
“Be suspicious of requests for cash payments,” she said.
“Generally, no money should be paid by any prospective tenant before a lease agreement has been signed.”
Nel said people should:
– Make an appointment to view the place.
– Not trust what the ad says.
– Not make any payments if a lease won’t be signed.
– Rent from reputable rental agents.
– Familiarise themselves with prices.
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“We have had numerous instances where members of the public arrive at our offices, being conned out of a house or flat,” she said.
“By the time they get to our offices, they have lost much money and have nowhere to stay.”
The villains usually targeted people starting the new year in the city.
She said a rental agent or management company would require proof of ID, latest payslip as well as three month’s bank statements.
“The public must be wary of scams and we are urging prospective tenants to make use of honest companies who have been in the industry for years,” said Nel.
“We provide not only a professional and personalised service, but also offer a variety of properties available to suit people’s needs.”
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