Eleven arrested for selling fake matric certificates

The suspects were arrested in Limpopo and Pretoria between the start of matric exams in October and the conclusion in December.

The quality assurance body briefed the media on Monday morning on the 2023 national matric examination results for the public and private assessment bodies.

The 2023 National Senior Certificate examinations were concluded on 6 December 2023, and the Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga, will announce the outcome of the examinations on 18 January 2024.

"The Hawks arrested an employee of the Department of Higher Education on 11 December 2023 for fraudulently issuing a diploma certificate for cash. The suspect has been charged with corruption, and his court case has been postponed to 19 January 2024," said Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi.

"Police investigations are ongoing, and Umalusi will continue to work closely with the law enforcement agencies in whatever way possible to ensure that the scammers or fraudsters are made to face the full might of the law."

Rakometsi has urged the public to exercise caution and verify certificates through the Umalusi website.

"Umalusi would like to reassure the public that its certificates have robust safeguards to protect their authenticity and credibility. Let me make it crystal clear: the mandate of Umalusi is to issue authentic certificates to qualifying candidates. Umalusi has no business with fake certificates.

"Fake certificates are issued by scammers or fraudsters who are not employees of Umalusi. We advise all employers, both in the public and private sectors, to consider verifying their current and future employees’ qualifications through the verification agencies whose contact details are available on the website of Umalusi."

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