Beware bogus institutions, warn Central cops
Police have warned that studying at “fly-by-night” academic institutions would result in students obtaining useless qualifications which were not recognised.
The Pretoria Central police station has embarked on an awareness campaign to sensitise the community about bogus academic institutions operating within the city centre.
Usually this time of the year, thousands of people make their way to the city centre to enrol in higher learning institutions.
Police have warned that studying at “fly-by-night” academic institutions would result in students obtaining useless qualifications which were not recognised.
This week, a joint effort by the police communication office, social crime prevention in collaboration with a Kopano Manyano NGO conducted a walk-about in various streets to urge both parents and students to research colleges before they register or make any payments.
Pretoria Central police spokesperson Constable Thabang Nkhumise said bogus institutions were targeting vulnerable students looking to further their studies
“We provided the community with pamphlets which provide information on how not to fall into a trap of being defrauded by these bogus institutions.”
Students and parents can get the academic institution’s accreditation number via the Department of higher educations’ website at www.dhet.gov.za or call 0800 872 222 to check if the institution is not bogus.
Nkumise said police would be on the ground for the next two weeks to ensure that the new students were well informed.
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