Fraudulent qualifications are a problem in South Africa, with candidates applying for jobs using fake matric certificates and degrees on the rise.
Fraudulent certificates, diplomas, and degrees are a problem in South Africa, with more candidates trying to secure jobs using fake qualifications.
EMPS, a company which provides background screening services, said it has found that 7.62% of all qualifications verified by it in 2015 were “problematic” – compared to 6.8% in 2014.
“People using fake qualifications are damaging the credibility and reputation of institutions of higher learning. The incidents of misrepresentation are serious and will not be tolerated in our country,” said EMPS CEO Kirsten Halcrow.
Halcrow said the government needed to concentrate on weeding out those within its ranks using fake degree and certificates, and not let qualifications fraudsters continue in their positions.
She said private companies, too, needed to beware of applicants using fake qualifications.
“Apart from being unable to do the job they were hired for, they could also do severe damage to the reputation of a company.”
Recent examples in South Africa
The table below details recent incidents of qualification fraud dealt with by EMPS in SA.
| Company | Position applied for | Fraud type | Demographic | Age |
| Private company | Executive | Diploma mill certificate, MBA | Male – Foreigner | N/A |
| Government institution | Mid-level | Unisa certificates | Female – RSA | 25 |
| Private company | Mid-level | Matric certificate | Female – Foreigner | 25 |
| Private company | Mid-level | BCom degree | Male – RSA | 32 |
| Government department | Senior level | National certificate | Male – RSA | 49 |
| Government institution | Senior level | Matric certificate | Male – RSA | 44 |
Source article; http://mybroadband.co.za/news/business/139260-fraudulent-qualifications-in-south-africa-from-matric-certificates-to-mbas.html