Increased Scrutiny as Fake Teacher Credentials Exposed
South African authorities have taken firm action against academic fraud. Recently, two women were arrested for using fake teaching qualifications to secure jobs in the education sector.
The first arrest took place in Gauteng. A woman submitted fraudulent documents at the South African Council for Educators (SACE) headquarters in Centurion. She allegedly used fake credentials from UNISA and a forged SACE registration letter to get employed as a teacher.
In a second case, Ntombelanga Pretty Labane, a 41-year-old woman from Mpumalanga, was also arrested. She had reportedly failed matric four times between 2003 and 2006. Despite that, she managed to gain admission into Walter Sisulu University using a fake matric certificate. There, she completed a Bachelor of Education degree. Authorities believe she worked as a teacher since 2016 and earned over R1.2 million through this fraudulent employment.
This case came to light after a whistleblower alerted the Public Service Commission, which then referred the matter to the Hawks for further investigation.
These incidents have raised serious questions about the reliability of teaching qualifications in South Africa. As a result, SACE has tightened its verification process. It now warns that anyone attempting to submit fake documents will face strict legal consequences.
“We will not tolerate fraud in our education system. These arrests serve as a warning,” said a SACE spokesperson.
Why Teacher Document Verification Matters
These events highlight the urgent need for proper background checks during teacher recruitment. When unqualified individuals enter the classroom, it puts the entire education system at risk. Most importantly, it affects the quality of learning that students receive.
To prevent such cases, schools and HR departments must use robust document verification solutions. Proper screening protects the integrity of the profession and ensures only qualified teachers educate our children.
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