South Africa’s biggest qualification scandals

North West MEC Virginia Tlhapi faces scrutiny over hiring amid allegations of fake qualifications for the development corporation’s CEO and chief financial officer (CFO).

Tlhapi has been called out for hiring two senior officials to lead the North West Development Corporation (NWDC).

Accountability demanded: MEC under fire for fake qualifications

North West MEC Tlhaphi is being held accountable after hiring two senior officials who had as little as no matric and fake qualifications.

The newly appointed NWDC chief executive, Mojalefe Nale, was flagged for not having matric and also producing fake tertiary qualifications so that he could get a higher position.

Kudakwashe Mpofu, the CFO who was suspended over allegations that he used a fraudulent residence permit, has resigned.

These scandals come from a long line of qualification scandals in South Africa.

Fake qualifications in South Africa

Here are some of the most prominent fake qualification scandals in the government and public service sectors that have recently made headlines.

Thabi Leoka

Former South African economist Thabi Leoka was exposed by Business Day for having lied about her PhD qualification, which cemented her among SA’s most elite economic voices. 

For four years, according to Sowetan Live, Leoka claimed that she had a doctorate from the London School of Economics. 

The London School of Economic confirmed it never conferred a PhD on her; she has not been able to provide evidence of the degree, even as she insists that she has it. 

Daniel Mtimkulu

Daniel Mtimkulu was the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) head of engineering and led the team that designed the new Afro 4000 locomotives. The locomotives have been the subject of reports questioning their suitability for local conditions.

Mtimkulu claimed that he had a doctorate in engineering from a German university. Prasa ran an investigation on his qualification, and he could not be verified. The investigation proved that Mtimkulu was not registered as an engineer, and according to Prasa, he lied about his qualification.

Pallo Jordan

Pallo Jordan is an ANC veteran and one of South Africa’s well-known politicians.

He served as the minister of post, telecommunications, and broadcasting and as the minister of environmental affairs and tourism.

Jordan’s CV stated that he was “Dr Jordan” and that he studied at the University of Wisconsin in the United States of America in 1962, and he acquired a postgraduate degree from the London School of Economics.

Sunday Times reported that Jordan had no qualification and subsequently apologised and resigned from Parliament and from the ANC’s national executive committee.

Hlaudi Motsoeneng

Hlaudi Motsoeneng claimed to have passed high school in his interview for a position at the SABC.

The Public Protector was requested to look into this matter, and she discovered that Motsoeneng had lied about his qualifications.

Despite the Public Protector’s recommendation for his removal from the position, he continued to serve as the SABC’s COO.

Legal consequences for fake qualifications

According to the National Qualifications Framework Amendment Act, misrepresenting qualifications is considered a criminal offence, punishable by a significant fine or imprisonment for up to five years.

Additionally, the National Qualifications Framework advises employers to verify qualifications with the National Learners’ Records Database before hiring potential employees.

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