Police are investigating an alleged fraud case after former students accused a Phoenix Bible college of operating unlawfully and costing them thousands of rands without receiving recognised qualifications.
The former students claim they paid substantial sums towards courses offered by the institution but later discovered that the college was allegedly not properly registered. The matter has since been reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS), where an alleged fraud case has been opened and remains under investigation.
One of the former students, Pastor Japheth Haripersad, said he had spent approximately R32 000 in pursuit of his qualification.
Haripersad alleged that the college owner admitted that the institution did not have a dedicated bank account and that payments were instead made into a personal account.
“How was he paying SAQA, licensing and CIPC fees if he was using his personal account? He is being fraudulent. He can’t say that it doesn’t matter that he doesn’t have a Masters in Theology because publicly, he’s told everybody he does,” questioned Haripersad.
Rennigan Perumal, also known as Pastor Fabian, declined to comment further on the allegations. “Unfortunately, I won’t be getting involved with any complaints with any ex-students anymore. We are done with those. From my college not being registered to my personal qualifications. I am not interested in this anymore,” said Perumal.
The former students further allege that the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Theology Department, where Perumal claimed to have obtained his qualification, advised that it had no record of him obtaining any qualification from the institution.
They also allege that the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) confirmed that the college was not registered as either a private college or a private higher education institution.
On 9 June, The Phoenix Tabloid reported on allegations surrounding the legitimacy of Manthano Bible College after several former students questioned the institution’s status and the validity of documents issued to them.
At the time, The Phoenix Tabloid contacted Perumal regarding the allegations. He provided documentation relating to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), the Association of Christian Religious Practitioners (ACRP) and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). He also questioned the motives of the former students and said they were seeking refunds after failing to obtain their qualifications.
Following the latest information submitted by Haripersad, police spokesperson Colonel Paul Magwaza confirmed that the matter remains under investigation.
As the investigation continues, no findings have been made by the police, and the allegations remain subject to the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
