Matric certificates for sale

OPPORTUNISTIC criminals reportedly attempted to entice students to purchase fraudulent matric certificates and driver’s licences documents outside a Richards Bay tertiary institution last week..

Fraudsters determined to capitalise on the number of students queuing for registrations which opened on Tuesday at Umfolozi College Richteck Campus, approached engineering student Gamaliel Pillay offering matric certificates for R2 000 and driver’s licenses for R10 000.

When Pillay declined the offer the duo moved on to entice other students waiting in the long queues.

Umfolozi College Principal, Sam Zungu warned students not to fall victim to these illegal activities and said it was disturbing to see that criminals were targeting students who needed their money for education.

‘If students are approached by individuals selling these documents they must report it to the college or alert the police,’ he said.

Registrations

Meanwhile, confusion ruled as many student applicants made their way to register at various tertiary institutions in the area last week.

Hopefuls queued in long lines under the blazing sun with expectations of being admitted to different courses, but were turned down due to insufficient space.

First year applicants at Umfolozi College Richtek Campus stood in long queues outside the institution waiting for assistance.

‘I have been here since 1am. I slept in a car with my parents, hoping that I will be assisted first,’ said 18-year-old Nomcebo Khuzwayo from Mtubatuba.

It was alleged some students had bribed certain individuals in the institution in order to be taken in front of the line.

‘We were here first, but they keep taking people who arrived late because they know them.

‘Then it’s only much later when they tell us there are no spaces.

‘Who filled these spaces if today is the first day of registering and we been here overnight?’

Parents who have travelled from far were also disappointed their children couldn’t register for higher learning,’ he said.