Unsuspecting poor students might be using borrowed money to pay for worthless qualifications.This comes in the wake of many unregistered colleges being exposed, some shut down and others under investigation countrywide by the Department of Safety and Security.

In Vhembe alone, six “reputable” colleges have made it to the wall of shame, after being listed as unregistered. Most of those exposed are operating in the Thohoyandou CBD.

The exposé has so far led to many arrests whereby college owners felt the wrath of the law, while the majority of citizens were still in the euphoria of the World Cup.

The operation has to date led to seven arrests and fourteen colleges closed nationwide. Of the arrests, four were Ugandans, one Nigerian and two South Africans.

“We vowed then to continue and intensify our operations, and we are doing so. Instead of refraining from their illegal practices, these ‘directors’ ignored our call; now they are feeling the heat. We will accordingly ensure they receive the harshest punishment because their actions clearly amount to criminality, disguised under the name of education,” said the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa.

Following the release of the ministry’s statement, more members of society came forward with information about such colleges. “We thank the public for their response as their leads and tip-offs have uncovered more of such bogus colleges," a police spokesperson said.

"Beyond just arresting these scoundrels who rob our children of their future, we also embarking on a campaign to name and shame them publicly, so that we also warn all potential students not to fall into such misfortunes,” the spokesperson added.

The police investigative team is currently cracking all the colleges around the country.

Preliminary and ongoing investigations have revealed that there are 48 unregistered private FET colleges around Pietermaritzburg and Durban. There are ten in Bloemfontein, five in Umtata and eight in Mafikeng.

According to the spokesperson, the police wish to alert all parents and students that the following institutions are illegally registered: Skill Development Pioneer T/A Professional and Technical College (Venda), Nicoflora Computer’s & PC Engineering (Venda), Thulamela Computer Academy (Venda), Mass Computer Training (Venda), Limpopo Media College (Venda), Kensani Education Training (Venda), Immaculate Colleges of Commerce and Engineering (Johannesburg), Central College of Business and Computer Studies (Pretoria), Victory Training College (Pretoria), Springfield FET College (Pretoria), Shepperd Academy (Pretoria), Westridge College (Johannesburg), Cedar Academy Technical College (Boksburg) as well as Alcinof Resources College (Pretoria).

During the raids, police confiscated and are in possession of some of the certificates which are issued to students upon completion of their studies. Some of these fake certificates even resembles the South Africa Qualification Authority, Umalusi and other certification bodies.

The Minister urged students to verify their qualifications with the Department of Higher Education, whether these colleges are registered or legitimate. ‘’Like striking lighting, we will pounce unannounced on these colleges irrespective of geographical existence. To those who still hear our clarion call, we urge them to surrender themselves. We will continue to be a thorn in the flesh to those criminals,” vowed Minister Mthethwa.

Contacted for comment, some of the named college owners said they were surprised as they had shown their registration papers to police officers who visited them. “We do not know exactly what these officers want from us as we have produced our registration papers and they have seen them. This is just to damage our businesses. We have been running these schools for a long time without interference,” said one college owner.

Random visits to the named colleges by Mirror revealed that it was business as usual, with classes continuing. Some students said they were worried that they would complete their qualifications and not get employment. “We have paid thousands of rands here and we do not know what will become of us after completing these courses,” said one angry student.

(Shortly before going to press, Mirror received proof from Mr Colin Nthangeni, Marketing Manager of Mass Computer Training and Printers that the institution enjoys full accreditation from Umalusi, Isett Seta and the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority, HWSETA, Mirror will do a follow-up on the issue in next week´s edition and provide sufficient opportunity to local affected colleges to react on the statement from the police).