The Vaal University of Technology is investigating allegations that an employee has been arranging fraudulent qualifications primarily for Congolese students for a price since 2018.
The allegations emerged from a whistleblower more than a year ago, who informed the
senior management about the apparent fraud.
The whistleblower made several requests to the university to probe the matter, as seen in the multiple emails sent to its senior officials.
“Please investigate all these people, especially those registered for B.Tech only who did not study at VUT for undergrad.
“There are so many currently doing B.Tech in marketing, business management … and those who have graduated in the past years,” the whistleblower wrote.
The whistleblower, who claims to be a VUT graduate of Congolese descent, went further with their claims, alleging that the fixer has secured more spaces for students who are meant to register for B-Tech degrees at the university next year.
“It has been a year now since I reported a case of fraud and illegal activities at your institution, and nothing has been done. The people concerned still have access to the campus, and some are due to graduate soon.
“I was informed that some more people have been recruited for next year’s academic year,” the whistleblower wrote.
It is unclear why the university took so long to look into the allegations, considering the whistleblower included the names of the students who allegedly submitted fraudulent qualifications.
Sunday World has decided to withhold the names of the students concerned as efforts to
locate them for their right of reply failed.
The VUT is also currently under the scrutiny of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) over a litany of allegations of fraud, corruption and maladministration.
The university said it regarded the allegations as of a serious nature and had instituted a probe. It said it sees the need to tighten its regulatory loopholes, which had led to the scandal.
“VUT takes all allegations of fraud, corruption and academic irregularities extremely seriously.
“VUT acknowledges receipt of the questions raised and can confirm that the matters referenced by the whistleblower form part of a broader set of concerns the university has been examining.
“VUT does not regard these allegations lightly. They are being addressed through structured internal processes and through cooperation with external bodies, including the SIU.
At the same time, we reiterate that the risks of fraudulent applications and credentials are a sector-wide challenge, and VUT is determined to be part of the solution by tightening its systems, enforcing consequence management and supporting national efforts to protect the integrity of higher education in South Africa,” said university spokesperson Sibusiso Nkosi.
“The university can confirm that consequence management processes are in motion. Strengthened internal controls, improved verification procedures, and revised governance frameworks have also been implemented to prevent a recurrence.”
Minister of Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela’s office told Sunday World that he was informed of the scandal by VUT and that the matter was being probed.
“We will await the outcome of the investigation, and if any wrongdoing is confirmed, the necessary action will be taken in terms of the Higher Education Act and the university’s institutional statute,” it said.
The minister also said: “South Africa’s qualifications system remains credible and underpinned by robust quality assurance and verification processes.
“Should any breach be identified, it will be addressed decisively, and those responsible will be held accountable.”
