By Levy Masiteng
The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mimmy Gondwe, has shut down the Mhlabuhlangene School of African Medicine in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, for operating illegally and offering unaccredited qualifications.
The department also opened a case against the institution at the Ladysmith Police Station.
The shutdown followed multiple warnings and instructions issued to the owner to register the institution with the DHET and obtain proper accreditation, all of which were ignored.
The department said that the institution had been offering programmes ranging from a Diploma in African Medicine for R8,500 to a PhD in Healing Science and Facilitation for R18,500, none of which were recognised or accredited.
Upon arrival, Gondwe found that the institution was still operating, and an employee called the owner, who spoke directly with her.
Gondwe instructed that the institution be closed with immediate effect to protect students from fraudulent programmes. According to the department.
“We are not against African or traditional medicine, but we strongly oppose unregistered institutions offering unaccredited qualifications that mislead and exploit learners,” said Gondwe.
The campaign was conducted in partnership with Alfred Duma Local Municipality, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), the Department of Home Affairs, and the Department of Employment and Labour.
“The campaign is aimed at protecting students and parents from unregistered institutions offering unaccredited qualifications including fraudulent PhD programmes,” Gondwe said.
“This is the fourth awareness campaign led by the Deputy Minister this academic year across three provinces with large student populations,” said Essack Shaheeda, the director of Private Higher Education in the DHET.
“We are committed to protecting students and communities from illegal and unregistered institutions operating outside the law.”
The department urged students and parents to verify the accreditation and registration of institutions before enrolling.
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