R5 000 asked for Unizulu registration
Imposter solicits bribes to secure spot at UniZulu
A PROSPECTIVE University of Zululand student is fuming after being asked to pay R5 000 to secure a spot to study to become a teacher.
The student, who for fear of victimisation has asked to remain anonymous, says they travelled to the university’s main campus on Tuesday with the intention of enrolling in the Education Faculty.
But soon after making enquiries, the student was informed the spots were already all filled.
The student was then allegedly told to pay R5 000 to one official, whose name was given to the Zululand Observer, who would in turn ensure a spot became available.
After conferring with family the student says it was agreed the amount was unaffordable.
The man then allegedly told the student that a payment of R1 500 would secure a spot in a different programme.
Without paying any monies, the student then left the campus but told the Zululand Observer they still hope to enrol next year.
‘I am disgusted,’ said the student’s partner.
‘How are we expected to pay this money on top of normal registration and other fees? It’s just plain wrong.’
The ZO contacted the university via email on Thursday to inform them of the incident, providing officials with the name of the alleged fraudster and asking confirmation on the amounts a student would be expected to pay upon enrolling, to ensure prospective students are prepared to recognise possible fraud.
Not a staff member
UniZulu spokeswoman Gcina Nhleko on Friday confirmed the individual in question was not actually a staff member, but rather had enrolled to study at the university last year.
‘The official is not a staff member and we can obviously make no further comment on this anonymous accusation,’ she said.
‘The issue of bribery is a difficult one, of which the University is acutely aware.
‘This year we have made special efforts to limit the opportunities of fraudsters and criminals by operating a single registration advice system where students are carefully told who to see next in the registration process and to whom monies, if any, need to be paid.
‘Warning signs have been distributed around campus for students not to pay bribes for any service and we have put up the official university banking account in strategic points,’ Nhleko explained.
‘This year the reduction in heinous characters preying on vulnerable applicants has been assisted by the government announcement that all NSFAS supported students and those from Quantile 1, 2 and 3 schools should be registered without the necessity for payments of minimum initial payments (MIN),’ she continued.
‘Funding has already been sent by NSFAS to cover the MINs of eligible students. This means that the vast majority of University of Zululand students will be able to register without having to pay anything up front.’
Nhleko explained only students paying with cash would need to pay their MIN prior to registration, fees the university last year reduced to R3 000 for tuition and R4 000 for those living in residences.
‘It is important to remember that the minimum initial payment is just that. It is a first instalment towards the fees that students must pay.
‘It is not an additional or registration fee but simply the first instalment of the academic fees that are due.’
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