The Department of Higher Education and Training warns Students of fake Colleges operating in Pretoria and Cape Town

24 October 2018

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) warns prospective students to be aware of a scam by a Pretoria and Cape Town based private provider of skills. The provider charges unsuspecting students exorbitant amounts of money for illegal and unaccredited higher education programmes.

Investigations carried out by the DHET have established that a virtual, on-line and distance education private skills provider, by the name of New Skills Academy, is purporting to offer a range of Diplomas and qualifications. These include a Dog Grooming Diploma. The diplomas and qualifications are offered without accreditation and registration with the relevant authorities. There are no contact details provided on the website at https://newskillsacademy.co.za as at 16 August 2018. The website does not provide proof of ownership by either a natural or juristic person. This private provider of education is completely virtual. On 23 October 2018, the DHET discovered the following website address: https://newskillsacademy.co.uk/ which operates in the exact same manner.

In a similar investigation, it was established that Skills Academy, with the website address at https://www.skillsacademy.co.za is purporting to offer the following Advanced Certificate programmes without registration with the DHET: Advanced Certificate in Project Management; Supply Chain Management; Medical Office Receptionist Advanced Certificate; Advanced Certificate in Child Day Care; Advanced Certificate in Child Psychology and Facial Skincare Advanced Certificate, among others.

The DHET has already filed a case with the South African Police Services against Skills Academy. The case number is CAS189/8/2018. Affected persons may contact Constable DN Chosane at the Brooklyn (Pretoria) Police Station at 012 366 1700.

The DHET wishes to reiterate that students should first verify information with the DHET website to ascertain the legality of any programme offered by the institution of their choice. This should be done before enrolling in order to avoid falling prey to illegal operations.

The website address is www.dhet.gov.za/Resources/Registers and the DHET toll-free number is 0800 87 22 22.


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