Amid escalating concerns over academic fraud, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) has reiterated the necessity of rigorous qualification verification. SAQA Chief Operating Officer Dr. Makhapa Makhafola stressed that misrepresenting academic credentials is a criminal offense under the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), revised in 2019 to explicitly address fraudulent misrepresentation.
Individuals who procure fake qualifications or falsely claim credentials not recognized under South African law may face imprisonment of up to five years. Dr. Makhapa Makhafola also highlighted that unaccredited institutions—commonly referred to as “bogus colleges”—that offer non-registered programs bear legal responsibility for their role in credential fraud.
The emphasis on verification follows a high-profile legal matter involving political leaders. Oscar Mabuyane pursued legal recourse after Julius Malema alleged that Mabuyane fraudulently obtained a master’s degree from the University of Fort Hare and publicly called for his arrest. Mabuyane maintained that the accusations harmed his reputation and suggested criminal wrongdoing.
Dr. Makhapa Makhafola explained that SAQA operates the National Learners’ Record Database, a centralized repository for all accredited and recognized qualifications issued in South Africa. The authority encourages employers, institutions, and members of the public to use SAQA’s verification services to confirm the legitimacy of academic claims. “Any qualification offered in South Africa that has been accredited and recognized by the system must appear on the National Qualifications Framework,” Dr. Makhapa Makhafola stated.
Verification complexities extend beyond counterfeit certificates. Dr. Makhapa Makhafola acknowledged emerging challenges including ghost-written dissertations, the use of artificial intelligence to produce academic work, and the translation of foreign theses to evade plagiarism detection. He cited instances where individuals translated French-language PhD dissertations into English to claim doctoral status.
To address these evolving risks, SAQA collaborates with educational institutions to fortify admission protocols and quality assurance mechanisms. Dr. Makhapa Makhafola referenced a recent Mpumalanga case in which an individual earned a degree without holding a matriculation certificate, illustrating the need for stronger institutional safeguards.
Qualification fraud is not unique to South Africa. Dr. Makhapa Makhafola described it as a worldwide issue, noting that international attention intensified after a 2015 New York Times exposé on fraudulent credential operations based in Pakistan. Nations including Australia have recently requested SAQA’s assistance in verifying South African qualifications, while SAQA contributes to the development of an African Continental Qualifications Framework.
Dr. Makhapa Makhafola urged tertiary institutions to enhance the capabilities of staff in academic planning and quality assurance units, equipping them with advanced verification tools that go beyond conventional plagiarism-detection software. He noted that methods such as viva voce examinations and strengthened supervisory oversight remain essential, particularly as technological advances and cyber security considerations reshape academic integrity standards.
“Employers sometimes cut corners because they do not want to go through the rigorous process,” Dr. Makhapa Makhafola observed. “But the framework exists to ensure that whatever you have achieved has been through rigor and can be proved to indeed belong to you.”
SAQA provides verification services for both domestic and international qualifications, confirming whether credentials originate from accredited institutions. Dr. Makhapa Makhafola concluded that safeguarding qualification integrity is vital not only for equitable employment practices but also for preserving public confidence—especially when individuals occupy leadership positions in government or the private sector.