Umalusi blows lid off fake matric certificates sites

© Ksenia Samorukova – 123RF.com

Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi said they have identified the websites fakematricandcertificate.co.za and www.registermatriccertificates.co.za that are involved in this illegal activity.

Rakometsi warned that this is illegal and constitutes a criminal offence that is punishable by law.

“It is appalling that the people who manage these websites continue to do it with impunity. I want to assure South Africans that the law will be extremely harsh on those who are found guilty of producing fake matric certificates,” Ramoketsi said.

Ramoketsi said the misrepresentation of qualifications causes potential damage to the image of Umalusi, the country’s education system and by extension undermines government’s efforts to eradicate corruption.

“All members of the public are urged to vigilantly report unscrupulous individuals and entities to the South African Police Service or alternatively report them anonymously on Umalusi’s national fraud hotline 0800 000 889,” Ramoketsi said.

All public and private entities that want to ascertain the credentials of their employees are advised to visit Umalusi website www.umalusi.org.za and go to the verification page for the names of verification agencies that have contracts with Umalusi.

Ramoketsi noted that various verification agencies can be used for the verification of qualifications issued by Umalusi.

“Please note that verification agencies charge varying fees for verification services. You are therefore advised to request prices from more than one agency before requesting the verification of your qualifications,” he said.

As the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, Umalusi is tasked with the responsibility of developing and managing a sub-framework of qualifications and quality assure it in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework Act No 67 of 2008 and the General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance Act No 58 of 2001.