UPDATE: Unizulu responds to degree sale scam allegations

THE University of Zululand has confirmed two officials have been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of a massive fraudulent degree sale scam.

In an emailed response to questions sent to the university last week, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Institutional Support, Professor Neil Garrod said it was through university investigation that irregular activities were discovered.

The Zululand Observer reported on Monday that two school principals had contacted the university on separate occasions, claiming job applicants holding Unizulu degrees were simply incompetent.

‘The documents that were purported to be official university documents were in fact false.

‘They do not match what is on the university system and no university certificates were sold to anyone as proclaimed.’

Garrod maintained the ‘documents’ or degrees were faked by individuals.

He did not respond to questions seeking confirmation on the positions held by the suspended individuals.

‘All institutions face these challenges and all employers should be aware to verify qualifications of new employees with the relevant institution before they employ them,’ he said.

He reiterated that Unizulu’s academic records system remained intact and that qualifications issued on the strength of the system are safe.

‘No certificates were sold to anyone.
‘The university will continue to deal with irregular and criminal activities and uproot them.

‘The relevant security bodies have been informed,’ he said, responding to questions asking if the university will conduct the investigation in-house or make use of external services.

‘The University of Zululand does not condone such criminal activities and we will ensure criminal charges are brought against those implicated.’

The university also did not respond to questions attempting to ascertain the scope of the scam.