PROJECT: BOGUS AND FLY-BY-NIGHT EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA (PART 1)
- Isabel Spies
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
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Bogus and fly-by-night education institutions remain a persistent and organised form of fraud in South Africa,
affecting thousands of learners and families annually, particularly during high-pressure periods such as
the release of matric results and the opening of academic registration windows.
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) issues annual public warnings against unregistered and
illegal colleges. In previous enforcement actions, nearly 90 bogus private institutions were identified operating unlawfully across multiple provinces. Despite repeated closures, these operations continue to resurface under new names,
digital platforms, and false branding, indicating systematic and opportunistic criminal behaviour rather than isolated incidents.
Specialised Security Services (SSS) views this phenomenon not merely as an education issue, but as a serious economic crime, involving fraud, misrepresentation, consumer exploitation, and, in some cases, immigration and organised crime elements.
1. NATURE OF THE CRIME:
Bogus and fly-by-night education institutions deliberately present themselves as legitimate colleges, universities, or training providers while operating without lawful registration or accreditation.
Their methods include:
False claims of DHET, SAQA, Umalusi, or CHE accreditation.
Use of copied logos, fake certificates, and misleading websites.
Aggressive social media marketing (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp groups).
Promises of “quick diplomas,” “guaranteed qualifications,” or “job placement”.
These actions constitute fraud, theft, uttering, and misrepresentation, and in regulated professions, may amount to endangering public safety.
2. WHO IS TARGETED:
The primary victims are vulnerable and high-pressure groups, including:
Recent matriculants unable to secure a university placement.
Learners who do not meet entry requirements.
Job seekers seeking fast-track qualifications.
Parents under financial and emotional pressure.
Immigrants and foreign students.
Rural and low-income communities.
These groups are intentionally targeted due to limited access to verified information and heightened desperation, which criminals exploit.
3. IMPACT AND HARM:
UNRECOGNISED QUALIFICATIONS:
Victims often discover too late that:
Their qualification is not registered on the NQF.
Employers reject the certificate outright.
Professional bodies refuse registration.
Years of study and significant financial investment become worthless, forcing victims to start over.
FINANCIAL LOSS:
Typical patterns include:
Large upfront registration or “fast-track” fees.
No refund policies.
Institutions shutting down or disappearing.
Losses often amount to thousands or tens of thousands of rand, with little immediate recourse.
LEGAL AND CAREER CONSEQUENCES:
Victims may face:
Rejection during background checks.
Allegations of CV misrepresentation.
Denial of promotions or professional licensing.
In regulated sectors (teaching, health, engineering, security, finance), reputational damage may be permanent.
IMMIGRATION RISKS:
For foreign students:
Study visas may be invalidated.
Deportation may occur.
Future visa applications may be denied.
In extreme cases, students—not institutions—bear the legal consequences.
SYSTEMIC DAMAGE:
Bogus institutions:
Undermine trust in legitimate providers.
Devalue genuine qualifications.
Distort national skills planning.
Weaken economic development.
This is a national risk, not a private inconvenience.
4. APPLICABLE LAWS AND CRIMINAL CONSEQUENCES:
Key legislation used to investigate and prosecute these crimes includes:
Higher Education Act 101 of 1997:
Criminal offence to operate or issue qualifications without registration.
Penalties include fines, closure, and imprisonment (up to 5 years).
National Qualifications Framework Act 67 of 2008:
Criminalises false NQF and SAQA claims.
Enables fraud prosecutions.
Continuing Education and Training Act 16 of 2006:
Commonly used against bogus matric rewrite and AET centres.
Umalusi Act:
Prohibits false claims of matric and school-level accreditation.
Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008:
Addresses false advertising, guaranteed outcomes, and refusal to refund.
Companies Act 71 of 2008:
Enables deregistration for misleading company names and unlawful activity.
Criminal Law (Fraud, Theft, Uttering):
Allows SAPS investigations and asset seizure.
Immigration Act:
Applies to illegal recruitment of foreign students.
Specialised Security Services urges the public to carefully consider the warnings and guidance of Mr. Mike Bolhuis,
an independent and highly respected safety and security authority, as outlined in his recent interview:
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