RULING PARTY MUST ACT ON FAKE QUALIFICATIONS WITHOUT DELAY

Congress of the People is surprised that the government has not ordered all departments at all levels of government and in all entities to carry out immediate qualification checks.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa should have told parliament how many people the government was now ready to name, shame and jail because they had  misrepresented their academic qualifications. This is not a new or unknown problem. For the Deputy President to say that government was "Intending" to crack down on fakers and fraudsters is simply not good enough. That allows them more space and time to do more damage.

The government should act, in each instance, as soon as the National Qualifications Authority has identified a person who made fraudulent qualification claims. Let fraudsters know for once that the game is up and not even being on first terms with Number 1 was going to help. We need to hear of action, not of intention. 

The government is not sending out a tough enough message.

COPE believes that everyone in government service who claims any qualifications must satisfy a commissioner of oath that the qualifications are genuine and certifiable and have been declared so by the holder under oath. Thereafter the Human Resources division of the department must certify that they are satisfied, through their research, that the qualifications are valid.

Why does the government not order such an immediate audit? Checking and rechecking will immediately reveal spurious claims. Furthermore, inviting whistleblowing will also help to identify fraudsters.

The trouble with the ruling party is a discernible lack of political will and a deep-seated fear of exposing highly placed political cadres. Threats without immediate action are useless. Corruption therefore prospers as it does.

COPE clearly demonstrated its seriousness to tackle this problem head-on by laying criminal charges against David Mthimkulu of PRASA and Ellen Tshabalala, the former chairwoman of the SABC board.

COPE demands that government unmasks fraudsters immediately and not let them hide because they are powerful cadres. Failure to act will allow them to inflict serious harm on society and on the economy. Action speaks louder than words and action on this matter is what COPE wants to see.

Issued by Dennis Bloem, COPE Spokesperson, 8 September 2015