Former teacher arrested for operating fraudulent Matric school
More than 100 completed matric examination papers were found in the suspect's possession.
A Northdale man has been arrested on charges of fraud, forgery and uttering, and theft by false pretences after allegedly operating a bogus finishing school that scammed adult students seeking matric qualifications.
The students who fell for the scam were unaware that the school was illegal.
According to the Mi7 National Group, the arrest, which took place on Friday, 13 June, was the result of a multi-intelligence-led operation.
The operation was reportedly conducted by Pietermaritzburg Police in collaboration with Mi7 Crime Intelligence & Investigations, the uMgungundlovu District Crime Intelligence unit, Mountain Rise Visible Policing, and the KZN Department of Education.
ALSO READ: Education department clears the air on school calendar 'changes'
Matric makeshift classroom discovery
When the combined investigative team arrived at the Innes Avenue address, they discovered what appeared to be a legitimate educational setup.
A residential room had been transformed into a classroom complete with desks and a whiteboard where lessons were being conducted.
'They found a group of pupils, aged between 23 and 50, writing their matric examinations. Unbeknownst to them, the papers they were writing were fraudulent,' said Mi7 National group director Colin David.
The suspect, believed to be a former educator, though this has not been immediately verified, had been charging admission and examination fees to approximately three dozen students who trusted him to provide legitimate matric education services.
ALSO READ: 'Looting using matric papers': Why did NW printing job price jump by around R100m?
Matric fraud evidence seized
During the search of the premises, investigators uncovered extensive evidence of the fraudulent operation.
'In his possession, the team found more than 100 matric exam papers already completed, fraudulent letters of admission containing falsified details and signatures, falsified documents, and a receipt book for payments from pupils – among others,' David revealed.
The team also discovered various fraudulent documents and a receipt book documenting payments collected from unsuspecting students who believed they were investing in their legitimate educational advancement.
David praised the coordinated effort that led to the successful arrest.
'We commend the extensive effort by all role players which led to the arrest,' he said.
Students left in limbo
The Citizen's sister paper, The Witness, reported that the scammed learners had been writing their last exam paper, a Business Studies paper.
According to information given to The Witness, the police halted the make-shift exam and collected the pupils' exam material as evidence.
One student reportedly revealed that their relative was also a former student who received their matric certificate from this school, which led them to assume it was legitimate.
Furthermore, the students reportedly stated that they were given Department of Education examination numbers, textbooks, past exam papers, and other study materials.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Constable Theniswa Ngcobo confirmed that Mountain Rise police have arrested the 45-year-old.
'The suspect will appear before the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court soon,' said Ngcobo.
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The Herald
6 days ago
- The Herald
Former teacher arrested in fake matric scam
When police and private security officers swooped on a makeshift school for adults in Pietermaritzburg on Friday, a group of pupils were writing their 'matric exams'. The pupils, aged between 23 and 50, were unaware the exam papers were fraudulent. A former teacher, who charged admission and exam fees, was arrested. Mi7 National group director Colin David said the Northdale man allegedly scammed adults into attending his school for their matric qualifications. 'The intelligence-led operation was driven by the police's uMgungundlovu district crime intelligence, Mountain Rise visible policing and the KwaZulu-Natal education department. When the team went to the Innes Avenue address on Friday they found lessons were being conducted in a room of a residential home which had been converted with desks and a whiteboard into a classroom. 'They found a group of pupils, aged between 23 and 50, writing their matric exams. Unbeknown to them, the papers they were writing were fraudulent. The suspect, believed to be a former teacher, had up to three dozen pupils he charged admission and exam fees for the tutoring,' he said. More than 100 completed matric exam papers, fraudulent letters of admission containing falsified details and signatures, falsified documents and a receipt book for payments from pupils were found on site. 'The man was arrested on charges of fraud, forgery and uttering and theft by false pretences. We commend the extensive effort by all role players which led to the arrest,' added David. TimesLIVE
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Former teacher arrested for operating fraudulent Matric school
More than 100 completed matric examination papers were found in the suspect's possession. A Northdale man has been arrested on charges of fraud, forgery and uttering, and theft by false pretences after allegedly operating a bogus finishing school that scammed adult students seeking matric qualifications. The students who fell for the scam were unaware that the school was illegal. According to the Mi7 National Group, the arrest, which took place on Friday, 13 June, was the result of a multi-intelligence-led operation. The operation was reportedly conducted by Pietermaritzburg Police in collaboration with Mi7 Crime Intelligence & Investigations, the uMgungundlovu District Crime Intelligence unit, Mountain Rise Visible Policing, and the KZN Department of Education. ALSO READ: Education department clears the air on school calendar 'changes' Matric makeshift classroom discovery When the combined investigative team arrived at the Innes Avenue address, they discovered what appeared to be a legitimate educational setup. A residential room had been transformed into a classroom complete with desks and a whiteboard where lessons were being conducted. 'They found a group of pupils, aged between 23 and 50, writing their matric examinations. Unbeknownst to them, the papers they were writing were fraudulent,' said Mi7 National group director Colin David. The suspect, believed to be a former educator, though this has not been immediately verified, had been charging admission and examination fees to approximately three dozen students who trusted him to provide legitimate matric education services. ALSO READ: 'Looting using matric papers': Why did NW printing job price jump by around R100m? Matric fraud evidence seized During the search of the premises, investigators uncovered extensive evidence of the fraudulent operation. 'In his possession, the team found more than 100 matric exam papers already completed, fraudulent letters of admission containing falsified details and signatures, falsified documents, and a receipt book for payments from pupils – among others,' David revealed. The team also discovered various fraudulent documents and a receipt book documenting payments collected from unsuspecting students who believed they were investing in their legitimate educational advancement. David praised the coordinated effort that led to the successful arrest. 'We commend the extensive effort by all role players which led to the arrest,' he said. Students left in limbo The Citizen's sister paper, The Witness, reported that the scammed learners had been writing their last exam paper, a Business Studies paper. According to information given to The Witness, the police halted the make-shift exam and collected the pupils' exam material as evidence. One student reportedly revealed that their relative was also a former student who received their matric certificate from this school, which led them to assume it was legitimate. Furthermore, the students reportedly stated that they were given Department of Education examination numbers, textbooks, past exam papers, and other study materials. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Constable Theniswa Ngcobo confirmed that Mountain Rise police have arrested the 45-year-old. 'The suspect will appear before the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court soon,' said Ngcobo. READ NEXT: Bela Act guidelines issued, minister accused of 'worthless' delays
The South African
6 days ago
- The South African
KZN former teacher arrested for matric scam
A former teacher has been arrested in Northdale, Pietermaritzburg, for allegedly running a fraudulent school and charging adults admission and examination fees under false pretences. Mi7 National Group director Colin David said the man lured adults into attending his unregistered school by promising them a chance to obtain their matric qualifications. He converted a room in a residential home on Innes Avenue into a classroom, fitting it with desks and a whiteboard. Police and education officials raided the property and found a group of adults writing matric exams. The group, aged between 23 and 50, had no idea the papers were fake. Authorities later confirmed the exam papers were fake and not recognised by any official body. 'The suspect, believed to be a former teacher, had up to three dozen pupils who paid him admission and exam fees,' David said. Police recovered over 100 completed fake exam papers during the raid. They also found forged admission letters with false details and signatures, along with a receipt book showing payments from students. Officials also found other fraudulent documents at the scene. Authorities arrested the man on charges of fraud, forgery, uttering, and theft by false pretences. 'We commend the extensive effort by all role players which led to the arrest,' said David. The KwaZulu-Natal education department, police intelligence from the uMgungundlovu district, and officers from Mountain Rise police station jointly carried out the operation. Investigations are continuing. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
