DHET raids illegal institutions of higher learning

Dr Shaheeda Essack, the director of registrations at DHET, conveyed to Nelspruit Post at the Promenade Shopping Centre, that a record is kept of all the legitimate institutions.

“We have a register of private skills providers. The name and qualifications that they can equip you with and the place of business, are all indicated in the private higher education institutions register,” she revealed.

There are various legislative requirements that these private college institutions must comply with. Officials from the DHET, in conjunction with the City of Mbombela Local Municipality’s (CMLM) safety department, will make unplanned visits to these institutions of higher learning in the province, to identify illegal private colleges operating in the region.

Siphiwe Ngelo, the CMLM spokesman, confirmed that the municipality will be out in force with its by-law enforcers, who will scrutinise these private colleges to ensure that they comply with the applicable by-laws pertaining to health, safety and building structure specifications.

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Ngelo advised all prospective students to “verify the accreditation of these institutions of higher learning, in order to avoid the monetary ramifications of being unable to recoup money paid”.

The South African Qualifications Authority, the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, or Umalusi, and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations will partner with DHET in a show of strength, to prevent students from falling prey to fraudulent private institutions.

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In order to ascertain if a private higher education institution is registered the following can be done:

• Request the certificate of registration issued by the DHET.
• The information contained in the register, pertaining the institution, can also be verified on the DHET at: www.dhet.gov.za/SitePages/DocRegisters.
• The DHET may also be contacted on 080-087-2222.

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To claim a refund from an unregistered college:

• Inform the DHET.
• Obtain written confirmation that the institution is not registered from DHET.
• Request the college principal for a refund. If he rejects your request, approach the courts. Student who cannot afford the legal fees may approach Legal South Africa on 080-011-0110.
• Inform your nearest police station and open a case, which the DHET may open on your behalf.

“When we encounter these unscrupulous institutions we engage with the authorities to shut them down and we refer the matter to the SAPS, for a fraud case to be opened.

“The Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit will get involved, to go through the financial statements of these illegal places and examine their tax clearance certificates,” Essack disclosed.