The education quality assurance body, Umalusi, is urging employers to exercise caution and verify the qualifications of both prospective and current employees, following the arrest of 11 individuals involved in the sale of counterfeit Matric certificates. CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi emphasized the importance of safeguarding the authenticity and credibility of qualifications during a media briefing on Monday.
The arrests unfolded in multiple stages, starting with the apprehension of two suspects in Burgersfort, Limpopo, on October 27, 2023. Subsequent arrests occurred in Pretoria in November, three on November 20, and the final five on December 13, 2023, again in Burgersfort. In a separate incident on December 11, 2023, an employee from the Department of Higher Education and Training was arrested by the Hawks for fraudulently issuing a diploma certificate for cash.
All suspects are scheduled to appear in various courts this month, and ongoing police investigations are underway. Rakometsi affirmed Umalusi’s commitment to collaborating with law enforcement agencies to ensure that those involved in fraudulent activities face legal consequences.
Umalusi’s certificates incorporate robust safeguards to guarantee authenticity and credibility, according to Rakometsi. He stressed that fake certificates are typically issued by scammers or fraudsters who are not affiliated with Umalusi.
This incident underscores the broader issue of fraudulent qualifications, with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) being an example. Last year, the CEO of JRA, Tshepo Mahanuke, was dismissed for presenting fake qualifications. Mahanuke’s termination was based on the discovery of fraud in his CV during the recruitment process, and he was unable to provide any counter-evidence to refute the allegations.
As cases of fraudulent certificates continue to emerge, Umalusi’s call for vigilance aims to prevent employers from falling victim to such scams and to uphold the integrity of academic qualifications in the workforce.