Beware of the sham colleges

BURGERSFORT – The Limpopo provincial commissioner announced that the South African Police Service (SAPS) and education officials will form and deploy special investigative teams to close all bogus training institutions that might be operating in the province.

Police in conjunction with the provincial Department of Education will monitor the learner registration period and plan to conduct operations across the province to close down these bogus training institutions.

“As government we want to ensure that those who are running illegal-registered colleges are apprehended and receive the due punishment. We are aware that the majority of applicants at legitimate universities and colleges may not be accepted and out of desperation, may fall victim to these bogus institutions. It must be noted anyone arrested for running such an institution and found guilty of contravening the Further Education and Training Colleges Act of 2006 faces 10 years’ imprisonment or can be fined R250 000 or both,” said Limpopo provincial commissioner, Lt Gen Fanie Masemola.

“We know that it is a season where some criminals would want to prey on unsuspecting learners by promising them a brighter future when in fact they are destroying their lives. We shall not allow this to happen and we will without fear double our efforts in uncovering these crooks,” added Masemola.

Students are encouraged to contact the Department of Educations toll-free number, 0800-265-266 to verify the institution’s credentials and query if they are recognised and registered accordingly.

“We hope this appeal will be taken seriously to avoid the embarrassment and loss of time. The SAPS is also making an appeal to the public to blow the whistle on unregistered colleges as we are aware of the existence of these so-called fly by night institutions,” concluded Masemola.