Blade to dissect Unizulu degree scam

THE Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has vowed to act without fear or favour against those found to be behind the degrees-for-sale scam at the University of Zululand.

Recent media reports revealed that as many as 4 000 students could possibly have bought their qualifications at the university, the most extensive scam of its kind in South African academic history.

‘The Department has been aware of the challenges experienced by the University of Zululand in this regard and has taken several steps to ensure the integrity of the university’s qualifications since this issue of fake qualifications was reported in the Independent Assessor’s Report of 2011,’ read the statement issued last week.

‘Institutional leaders are reminded that public trust and confidence in the higher education sector and the integrity of academic qualifications are among its most important assets.’

Furthermore, DHET Minister Blade Nzimande would in terms of his oversight responsibility, ‘seek an urgent meeting with council and will make a determination in this regard after all facts in this matter have been assessed’.

‘The falsification of qualifications and/or changing of marks are serious matters that compromise the integrity of the entire higher education system of our country,’ the statement said.

History of corruption
In 2010 Nzimande appointed an independent assessor to assess Unizulu’s affairs.

The investigation revealed serious ‘challenges’ with regard to governance and management administration at Unizulu, and also that is was clear that there ‘may be people whose qualifications were not authentic’.

‘Following this report, the Minister appointed an Administrator with specific terms of reference, including the initiation of a forensic audit an investigation into the affairs of the office of the Registrar.’

The Zululand Observer can reveal that the Administrator, Professor Chris de Beer, was initially given a period of six months, which was extended twice – resulting in him staying on for almost two years.

According to DHET three forensic audits were concluded in January 2012, the results of which raised serious irregularities relating to university employees in possession of blank degrees and diplomas that ‘could be used to fraudulently manufacture and sell false qualifications to students’.

While the statement says disciplinary procedures were concluded against members of staff and students who were implicated, it does not mention names, the extent of the ‘serious and repeated transgressions of university policy and procedures and acts of theft, fraud and corruption’, nor what positions implicated staff members held.

‘Nzimande notes with grave concern the falsification of qualifications at the University of Zululand is resurfacing and continues unabated despite the implementation of systems, processes and procedures by the Administrator,’ continues the statement.

‘The Department views all such claims in a very serious light and will not hesitate to deal with councils and universities that make themselves guilty of this unacceptable and unethical conduct.’

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