‘Bogus’ college owner prepared to sue department for millions

POLOKWANE – The owner of a private FET college in Seshego says he has put court action in motion against the department of education and is considering sueing the police as well after he, his wife, and a third person were arrested on the suspicion that he operated an unregistered college.

Hangwani Mukwevho, his wife Olebile and a third person who did not wish to be named were arrested in January 2013.

Mukwevho said he spent 19 days in jail before bail was granted to him. He said bail was only granted after his attorney produced the paperwork proving that the college was registered with the department of higher education.

“But the damage was done and has cost me at least a couple of million rands,” Mukwevho said.

“A false charge of fraud was laid, I lost everything. Students had to go and protest at the magistrate’s court to say we must be released and the college re-opened.”

Mukwevho was also arrested on charges that the Kgapane FET college, also belonging to him, was falsely registered, but was acquitted of this charge too.” Both the cases were heard in Seshego,” he said.

Seshego police spokesperson, WO Mothemane Malefo confirmed that the cases against Mukwevho had been withdrawn.

Mukwevho further said he had lost his house.

“A bank loan granted to me was withdrawn. I am now renting a house. I lost my cars. Overall I would say my losses amounted to between R4 and R5 million. A lot of damaged was done. The number of registrations at the college went down and I have to start all over again.

“I was embarrassed, as was my family and children, who came home from school and had to find their parents gone. In jail. My sister-in-law had to look after them during that time. I have to start all over again,” he told Review.

Mukwevho is currently registering students at the college, where they can study engineering (N1 to N6) and business studies (N4 to N6). Classes already started on Tuesday.