POLOKWANE – The Mankweng police arrested a 24-year-old woman on Monday for allegedly defrauding first-year students at the University of Limpopo.
According to Mankweng police spokesperson, Const Matimba Maluleke, the complainant alleged she was approached by the suspect who was wearing a university assistant tag. She said the so-called university assistant told her she could assist her younger sister to register quickly if she paid her R1 000.
“The complainant informed the campus security about the matter and security gave her R1 000 as a trap so she could pay the suspect and in so doing, lay a trap for the suspect. After the payment was made, the suspect gave the victim an admission letter,” he said.
“The suspect was found in possession of five other admission letters and she didn’t tell the students her real name,” he further said, adding that the suspect is a former student at the university.
A parent also complained about a similar incident at the same university. Her son was given a provisional acceptance letter, which informed him to register from 6 to 8 January. On arriving at the university, a university official allegedly demanded a R1 500 bribe to be registered quickly. “I refused to pay the money. I asked what about those children whose parents can’t afford to pay a bribe? Does it mean they won’t be registered? I was angry and disappointed,” the parent said.
University Spokesperson, Kgalema Mohuba, said students should not trust anyone they see on campus and they must ask the personnel to identify themselves, especially those who demand money.
The police appealed to the students to be extra vigilant during registration and advised victims to lay a criminal charge with the police.
