By Thapelo Molefe

Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has welcomed the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Council’s decision to institute an independent forensic investigation into allegations of a syndicate selling fraudulent degrees and registrations, a scandal the university allegedly failed to act on for more than a year.

This follows a formal response from the VUT Council after Manamela demanded answers last week about why credible whistleblower evidence, first raised in August 2024, was never escalated to the oversight body. 

According to Council Chairperson Professor Mandlakhe Radebe, the allegations only reached the Council after media enquiries surfaced in November.

“It is deeply concerning that the oversight body of the institution was kept in the dark regarding allegations that threaten the core academic integrity of the university,” Manamela said on Wednesday.

The Minister had previously given VUT until last Friday to explain the alleged 12-month delay, provide proof of consequence management, and outline safeguards to prevent manipulation of the 2026 academic intake. 

The ministry said it was particularly troubled by claims that an employee had been arranging fraudulent qualifications, primarily for Congolese students, dating back as far as 2018.

The whistleblower, a VUT graduate, repeatedly warned the institution that implicated individuals continued accessing campus and had allegedly been recruiting students for 2026.

In its formal response, the VUT Council rejected a preliminary report submitted by University Management, calling it “wholly inadequate”.  

It has since resolved to appoint an independent forensic team to investigate both the alleged syndicate and management’s handling of the complaint.

Although the Council requested three months to complete the probe, Manamela said the Ministry cannot allow the upcoming academic year to be exposed to the same vulnerabilities flagged by the whistleblower.

The Minister has written back to the Council seeking a supplementary briefing on immediate interim measures, including verifying the credentials of foreign applicants and those claiming recognition of prior learning.

“We expect immediate consequence management for any staff members implicated, to prevent them from accessing the university’s IT systems while the investigation is underway,” he said.

Manamela said that the integrity of South Africa’s qualification system remains “sacrosanct” and stressed that the Department will support VUT in “rooting out any criminal elements operating within the institution”.

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By Charmaine Ndlela 

The DA has accused the Gauteng Department of Education of endangering learners and teachers by cancelling professional school security contracts without conducting risk assessments.

DA Gauteng education spokesperson Michael Waters said a recent written reply from MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed that the department did not follow basic due diligence before withdrawing accredited security services from schools across the province.

According to the DA, the MEC admitted the department failed to assess the financial implications of recovering contracted security, consider the heightened risks of vandalism, burglary or arson, evaluate the safety impact on learners, teachers and school staff, or review the consequences for schools already classified as high-risk.

Waters said the department terminated contracts with trained, PSIRA-accredited security guards and replaced them with untrained patrollers who are not deployed after hours, over weekends or during school holiday periods when schools are most vulnerable.

Waters said that this decision had already had devastating real-world consequences, citing the recent murders of a principal and administrator at Enxiweni Primary School in Tembisa.

The tragedy highlighted “gross negligence” on the part of the Gauteng Education Department, according to the DA.  

“Schools are high-value public assets, many of which face daily threats from gangs, break-ins, and criminal networks,” Waters said. “Instead of reinforcing security, MEC Chiloane weakened it and now school communities are paying the price.”

The DA demanded the immediate reinstatement of accredited security personnel at all high-risk schools, and a full account of how the decision to cancel professional security services was authorised.

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Staff Reporter

KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka said his department had accepted findings by the Special Investigating Unit into an irregular R2.5 million contract for chemical toilets at schools, and that disciplinary proceedings would be implemented against the implicated employees.  

Hlomuka was responding to an SIU statement released on Monday that said the Special Tribunal had ordered the MEC to initiate disciplinary proceedings against 16 departmental officials implicated in the awarding and extension of a contract for 72 chemical toilets in the Pinetown District.

Hlomuka said he had directed the head of department to ensure the SIU’s disciplinary directives were implemented “without delay, and that consequence-management processes are conducted fairly, consistently and within the prescripts of the law”.  

The SIU welcomed the tribunal order, saying it “goes beyond declaring the contract invalid to actively enforcing consequence management at all levels of state administration,” and praised the judgment for reinforcing accountability at the senior levels of the education department, SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said.

The tribunal also set aside the unlawful contract and ordered the service provider, Hawulethu (Pty) Ltd, to repay all profits derived from it.

Said Hlomuka: “As the Executive Authority, I wish to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical governance.”

The SIU investigation into the June 2020 procurement found that the contract, valued at R2,538,000.00, was awarded without any competitive bidding process, in violation of constitutional and public finance rules.

It said 16 officials failed to follow mandatory supply chain management processes and that Hawulethu was contacted and delivered goods before being formally appointed as a service provider. The company “overcharged by more than 100 per cent,” the SIU said.

Hlomuka said the department would cooperate with efforts to recover losses and backed the SIU’s legal bid to reclaim irregular profits.

He said that the department would tighten controls to prevent a repeat of the irregular procurement, including strengthening supply-chain checks, intensifying internal audit monitoring and expanding training and capacity-building programmes for officials.

He also ordered that quarterly progress reports on SIU-related matters be submitted to his office.

“It is important to highlight that the vast majority of our officials conduct their responsibilities with diligence and integrity,” Hlomuka said, but added that “any breach of public trust — no matter how isolated — undermines our collective mission to deliver quality education to the children of KwaZulu-Natal.”

 “The Department will not tolerate any form of corruption or negligence that compromises the right of learners to learn in a well-resourced, functional schooling environment. Every rand allocated to this Department must reach our schools, our teachers, and ultimately, our learners,” he said.

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By Marcus Moloko

Smartphone Free Childhood South Africa (SFC-SA) has launched a campaign to delay or restrict smartphone and social media access for children under 16.

The group contends that early, unmoderated smartphone exposure can harm children and is calling for age-appropriate technology policies.

SFC-SA says its approach is pro-child, not anti-tech.

It supports delays and safeguards rather than blanket bans, and says it has mobilised thousands of parents through campaigns and school-based pledges.

Media coverage has amplified the call, pointing to international momentum, such as Australia’s under-16 social media restrictions and Malaysia’s announced plans, as examples South African policymakers may consider when debating local measures.

Several media reports say SFC-SA has launched a nationwide digital parent pact. The idea is to help parents with children in the same school grade commit collectively to withholding smartphones until high school.

Supporters say this could reduce peer pressure and create community backing for delayed adoption and clearer, coordinated boundaries around devices and social platforms.

An IOL report said that any policy change in South Africa would likely depend on constitutional and statutory tests. These would need to balance children’s rights, freedom of expression, and access to information against the state’s duty to protect minors from harm.

If the advocacy intensifies, groups could pursue court action in several forms:

Applications compelling regulators or education authorities to issue age-based social media guidelines.

Constitutional challenges seeking a declaration that unrestricted smartphone access undermines children’s rights to safety and well-being.

Public interest litigation pushing platforms and mobile networks to implement age verification and default protections for under-16s.

These legal routes would likely rely on comparative evidence and child-protection frameworks, using overseas precedents as persuasive (not binding) authority.

For minors, the potential impacts are complex. Possible benefits of restricting smartphones under 16 could include reduced exposure to cyberbullying, adult content, and addictive design; improved sleep, attention, and mental health; and more time for in-person social development and learning.

SFC-SA said it is highlighting research-based harms and advocating for mindful, age-appropriate technology to safeguard childhood.

Possible downsides include reduced access to digital literacy, educational apps, and online communities; potential exclusion from school communications that rely on mobile platforms; and a greater burden on parents and schools to provide alternative channels and supervised access. A strict ban or delay could also widen inequalities if enforcement is uneven or if safer, supervised technology is not made accessible across different socioeconomic contexts.

In the near term, South Africa’s trajectory is likely to involve policy debate, school-level compacts, and advocacy aimed at both government and platforms rather than immediate national legislation.

If litigation is pursued, it could test how courts weigh child protection against access and expression, and might result in court-ordered guidelines or obligations on platforms to verify age and provide default safeguards for minors.

International developments will likely continue to shape the local conversation as advocates press for clearer rules and stronger protections for children online.

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By Akani Nkuna

President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that the Presidential Employment Stimulus programme had created earning opportunities for more than two million people since it was launched in October 2020.

Giving his political report at the opening session of the ANC’s 5th National General Council at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Ramaphosa told delegates to keep education and skills reform at the centre of efforts to tackle poverty and unemployment.

The midterm policy meeting is scheduled to run from 8 to 10 December.

Ramaphosa said the Basic Education Employment Initiative had created more than one million opportunities for young people as school assistants.

“We have often said that education must be at the centre of our fight against poverty. We have seen a steady progress in improving our educational outcomes. Last year, our learners achieved an 87% matric pass rate, the highest recorded in our democratic history,” he told delegates.

The national pass rate for the 2024 National Senior Certificate was 87.3%, up from 82.9% in 2023, the highest on record, Ramaphosa said.  

He also praised the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for widening access to post-school education, saying it funded over 800,000 university and TVET students.

“However, we need to do much more if we are to have a skills revolution,” Ramaphosa said.

“The skills system needs to shift towards producing skills linked to demand in the economy. We need to consider a radical overhaul of the SETA system and introduce a dual academic and on-the-job training system,” he said.

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By Lebone Rodah Mosima

KwaZulu-Natal education MEC Sipho Hlomuka has been ordered by the Special Tribunal to initiate disciplinary proceedings against 16 officials implicated in the irregular awarding and extension of a R2.5 million contract for chemical toilets at schools, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) said on Monday.

The tribunal also set aside the unlawful contract and ordered the service provider, Hawulethu (Pty) Ltd, to repay all profits derived from it.

“The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) welcomes this significant order by the Special Tribunal, which goes beyond declaring the contract invalid to actively enforcing consequence management at all levels of state administration,” SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said.

“We commend the Tribunal for placing this responsibility squarely with the most senior official in the education department, reinforcing accountability where it matters most.”

The order names officials across supply chain, finance and operations who served on quotation evaluation and adjudication committees or approved requisitions, extensions and payments.

The MEC was ordered to institute disciplinary action against: Ms Ngobi (Acting Director: Demand and Acquisition), a member of the Quotation Evaluation Committee (QEC); Mr Ngcobo (Deputy Director: Finance), who nominated Hawulethu (Pty) Ltd and was chairperson of the QEC; Ms Madiba (Acting Director: Finance), a member of the QEC; Ms Naidoo (Accounting Clerk), a member of the QEC who was allocated and signed as the budget controller; Mr Mavundla (Admin Clerk), a member of the Quotation Adjudication Committee (QAC); Ms Hadebe (Chief Education Specialist), chairperson of the QAC; Mr Maharaj (Educational Specialist), a member of the QAC; and Ms Nkwanyana (Educational Specialist), a member of the QAC.

The order also covers Ms Gumede (Chief Director: Operations Management), who authorised the extension of the contract with Hawulethu (Pty) Ltd; Mr Nkosi (Educational Specialist), who approved the extension; Ms Dlamini (Deputy Director General IDS), who approved the extension; Mr Mthembu (Deputy Director General), who approved the extension of the project; Ms Mthethwa (Educational Specialist), who approved the requisition and authority to purchase; Mr Reddy (Chief Admin Clerk), who approved commitments and final payment orders to Hawulethu (Pty) Ltd; Ms Mabaso (Provincial Admin Clerk), who approved the final payment order to Hawulethu (Pty) Ltd; and Ms Brijlal (Admin Clerk), who signed and checked the final payment order, the SIU said.

The judgment follows an SIU investigation into the procurement of 72 chemical toilets for schools in June 2020. The SIU said the contract, valued at R2,538,000.00, was awarded without competitive bidding, in violation of Section 217 of the Constitution, the Public Finance Management Act and Treasury regulations.

The investigation found that Hawulethu was contacted and delivered goods before being formally appointed as a service provider and that it overcharged by more than 100%.

The SIU also said Hawulethu submitted claims for services not rendered and failed to declare conflicts of interest involving its director. It found the contract was improperly extended without proper procurement procedures, and that multiple payments were split to avoid procurement thresholds.

Kganyago said the tribunal’s consequential relief included forfeiture of all profits derived from the contract, an audited statement of account within 30 days, repayment of all profits plus interest to the education department, and payment of legal costs.

President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the SIU under Proclamation R23 of 2020 to investigate alleged corruption and maladministration linked to PPE procurement and the conduct of state employees, the unit said.

The SIU can institute civil action in the High Court or Special Tribunal and refers evidence of criminal conduct to the National Prosecuting Authority.

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By Charmaine Ndlela

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube on Monday thanked education district directors for steering schools through a demanding 2025 academic year, as South Africa’s education system juggles the finalisation of matric exam marking and preparations for 2026.

Seventy-five education districts attended a meeting in Pretoria aimed at reviewing progress in the sector, addressing existing challenges and strengthening collaboration, the department said.

Gwarube urged leaders to continue supporting schools in safeguarding learners and confronting urgent social pressures, including gender-based violence and rising child pregnancies.

“With commitment, collaborative and strong leadership, I am confident in the sector’s ability to drive quality education for every learner, regardless of backgrounds,” Gwarube said.

She said district leaders were central to translating national policy into tangible improvements at school level, including ensuring exam readiness, improving school functionality, and strengthening teaching and learning across districts.

As planning accelerates for the 2026 academic year, she outlined four priorities for districts: action-driven monitoring, timely delivery of learning materials, responsive decision-making, and strengthening foundational learning — including the integration of Early Childhood Development.

The department said the gathering was the last district directors’ meeting for the 2025 academic year.

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By Levy Masiteng 

In a stunning upset, Zambia emerged victorious in both the boys’ and girls’ finals at the CAF African Schools Football Championship Qualifier South Africa 2025, held in Stellenbosch. 

Over the weekend, Zambia defeated their South African counterparts, ending South Africa’s three-year dominance in the competition.

Zambia’s boys’ team won the championship title, taking home a prize of USD 100,000, while the girls’ team also claimed the top spot, winning the same amount. 

South Africa, the host nation, received USD 75,000 for finishing as runners-up in both competitions.

In the boys’ final, Zambia came from behind to defeat South Africa 2-1, with Maxen Msimuko scoring the winning goal. 

In the girls’ final, Zambia secured a 1-0 win over South Africa, thanks to a goal from Matildah Hambulo. 

South Africa’s teams had a tough outing, despite showing promising performances throughout the tournament. 

“The boys’ team took an early lead in the final but conceded two goals, while the girls’ team was unable to capitalise on their chances,” CAF said in a statement. 

CAF said its sponsor, TotalEnergies, provided four sets of home kits to the winners of each competition, along with a Sunshine 24″ TV, and a solar lighting, charging and entertainment system.

“South Africa received the same donations as the host nation of the competition.”

The CAF African Schools Football Championship is a prestigious competition that aims to promote football development among young players in Africa. 

The tournament is sponsored by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who has invested USD 10 million in the competition.

“This prize money is to be used for infrastructure development at schools, and many teams have invested in educational and sporting aids for their learners,” said CAF.

Zambia will represent the COSAFA region at the continental finals next year, where they will compete against other top teams from across Africa.

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By Levy Masiteng 

South Africa and Mozambique have signed an Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Higher Education and Training, establishing a formal framework for deepened cooperation between the two countries. 

The agreement was signed during the 4th South Africa Mozambique Binational Commission (BNC) meeting, held in Maputo.

The Department of Higher Education and Training ( DHET) said the agreement aims to strengthen institutions and support a knowledge-driven economy, ultimately improving the socio-economic wellbeing of citizens in both countries. 

“Central to the cooperation is a shared focus on strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET),” it said.

“Facilitation of the exchange of policy documents, curricula, and partnership models in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training sector, particularly for colleges, students, and lecturers,” would be key areas of cooperation, the department said 

DHET minister Buti Manamela said:  “TVET colleges are critical for equipping youth with practical skills, necessary for economic growth and development.”

“South Africa and Mozambique continue to engage through the Southern African Development Community Protocol on Education and Training which provides a framework for regional cooperation in addressing regional needs with respect to education and training,” he said.

The agreement will focus on supporting the objectives of South Africa’s National Development Plan. 

Manamela said that twinning institutions of higher education is vital for fostering academic collaboration. 

“This agreement marks a substantial step forward in solidifying an educational partnership that promises to yield lasting benefits for skills development of citizens of both countries.” 

In October, the DHET signed an agreement with Ireland to strengthen cooperation in education and innovation. 

That agreement focused on STEM teaching and research, lecturer development and exchange programmes, and a joint academic initiative “on Ireland’s role during the anti-apartheid movement”.

“This partnership goes beyond symbolism. It embodies the spirit of solidarity that Ireland extended during the anti-apartheid struggle, now renewed through shared investment in science, technology, and education,” said Manamela at the time.  

The agreement with Mozambique is set to be implemented through a concrete action plan, with progress to be reported at the next BNC meeting.

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By Charmaine Ndlela

South Africa’s education quality councils have told learners and parents to verify institutions and qualifications before registering for post-school studies in 2026, saying that fraudulent and unaccredited providers intensify their marketing around the matric results period.

The warning was issued at a joint media briefing in Pretoria by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), Council on Higher Education (CHE), Umalusi, and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

The organisations said the country’s education system remains credible but that the rise of bogus providers threatens learners’ futures and families’ finances.

Umalusi chief executive Dr Mafu Rakometsi said no school, public or private, may operate or issue qualifications without proper registration and accreditation. He said illegal operators often promise “quick” matric certificates or shortcuts into the National Senior Certificate system.

“Parents and learners must understand that only institutions registered with the provincial education departments and accredited by Umalusi may offer qualifications such as the NSC and NCV [National Certificate Vocational],” Rakometsi said.

He said that fraudulent matric rewrite centres and back-room tuition centres, sometimes with misleading names, tend to emerge during the results period.

“There are no shortcuts in achieving a credible qualification. Any organisation that claims to issue a matric certificate without proper registration is deceiving the public,” he said.

QCTO CEO Vijayen Naidoo said the occupational training space is also increasingly targeted by scammers falsely claiming to offer occupational certificates or the historic “Red Seal” trade test.

“As opportunities grow in the occupational training space, so does the number of unaccredited and bogus institutions claiming to offer QCTO certificates. Let us be clear: a QCTO qualification is only valid if it is offered by a QCTO-accredited skills development provider and assessed through a QCTO-accredited trade test or assessment centre,” he said.

Naidoo said more than 900 occupational qualifications and part qualifications are registered on the National Qualifications Framework, with growing demand in areas such as renewable energy, solar photovoltaic installation and hybrid vehicle technologies.

He cautioned that fraudulent providers, including online operators, lure learners with promises of guaranteed certificates and fast-track trade tests.

“If something sounds too good to be true, it is a scam,” he said.

Naidoo said the QCTO has also uncovered “unscrupulous activities” among some accredited providers and trade test centres, with action being taken alongside SAQA, the Department of Higher Education and Training and law enforcement.

The QCTO is managing a national transition away from pre-2009 “legacy qualifications”.

It said all already-achieved legacy qualifications remain valid, but that the last enrolment for such programmes is now June 2026, with completion teach-out periods running to between June 2027 and June 2029.

CHE CEO Dr Whitfield Green said higher education capacity constraints leave many school-leavers vulnerable to illegal operators. He said the post-school system can absorb only about half of the more than 815,000 candidates who wrote matric this year.

“No institution purporting to be a higher education institution can offer qualifications unless those qualifications are accredited by the Council on Higher Education and registered on the National Qualifications Framework,” Green said.

“There is no grey area. If it is not accredited by the CHE and not registered on the NQF, it is an illegitimate qualification,” Green said.

CHE communications manager Ntokozo Bhengu asked the media to help amplify the message.

“It saddens us when you find a student from a rural area whose parents had to sell livestock to pay for tuition, only to discover upon graduation that the qualification is not registered. The student has been duped and scammed, and the parents have lost money. By then, the kraal is empty. There is not a single cow left because they were trying to invest in the future of their child.

“We plead with the media to help us elevate the message and spread it across the country so that it reaches all students and parents to avoid this unnecessary pain and suffering,” Bhengu said.

Accredited qualifications and providers can be checked on the:
•    QCTO website: www.qcto.org.za
•    SAQA qualification search
•    DHET registers

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