Ramaphosa: Name, shame and jail those who fake qualifications

Replying to questions in the National Council of Provinces, Ramaphosa said higher education and training minister Blade Nzimande was currently working on a proposal, which was expected to be tabled before cabinet for approval, to address the scourge.

"Now, he [Nzimande] has also approached the National Qualifications Authority to begin the process of preparing a list of those people who fraudulently claim that they've got qualifications so that they are on a list and they can be named and shamed and this time round…they will then be subject to being charged, arrested, and jailed," he said.

Ramaphosa said recent instances of prominent South Africans having lied about their qualifications have dented the country's image abroad. "Such incidents do great damage to the credibility of our country's education and training system." 

The deputy president urged South Africans not to jeopardise their chances of employment by lying about their educational background. "We urge all public and private entities to make every effort to verify the qualifications of all prospective interviewees and directors and to report any suspected fraudulent activity to the South African police or the National Prosecuting Authority."

"Let us not be fakes. Let us not be fraudulent. When it comes to our qualifications, let us be properly educated people."

Last year, several people were caught out lying about their qualifications. These included ANC stalwart Pallo Jordan who resigned from Parliament after having admitted he lied about his academic qualifications last year. In December, 2014, Ellen Tshabalala resigned as SABC chairwoman shortly after Parliament recommended she be fired for lying about her qualifications.