Warning for bogus tertiary institutions
If you're a learner who's just passed matric - congratulations, but please be on guard for bogus higher education institutions at this time of the year.
As we've seen over the years, these fly-by-night institutions come out of nowhere, looking like the real deal; and every year, people are scammed out of their money. Make sure that the institution is fully registered by the South African Qualifications Authority; and the Department of Higher Education and Training.
There should also be a registration certificate from the Department - which shows all programmes the institution is accredited to offer. You must know you're being conned if a programme is offered but not included in that certificate. All this will ensure that you do not pay thousands of rands to a non-existent school.
If any traffic official asks you for a bribe, make sure to take down their name or their vehicle registration number. A Durban man says he was forced into paying a bribe in Phoenix last week, after being stopped by a metro police official. The officer threatened him with jail-time or a fine amounting to more than 3000 rand. We've been hearing of many of these incidents but now these officers could face jail time, if identified. So even if you're in the wrong, bribes amount to corruption and if this happens to you, report it immediately.