'Misleading and unfortunate': UKZN warns of registration relief fund ...

24 Jan 2023

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Pietermaritzburg campus.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Pietermaritzburg campus.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal has warned that a registration relief fund scam is doing the rounds.A poster has been circulating on social media.It claims that a R10 million donation from a company will assist students with their registration fees.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has alerted the public to a "registration relief fund" scam that's doing the rounds on social media. 

Spokesperson Normah Zondo said on Tuesday that UKZN management officials were alerted to the purported donation of R10 million into the registration relief fund from a company known as Langa Civils.

"A poster claiming such was circulated on social media. We wish to state that the university has not received any such donation from the company mentioned in the poster. Thus, the information on the poster is misleading and unfortunate," she said.

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Zondo cautioned against the use of the university's logos and symbols in disinformation campaigns.

"UKZN will not hesitate to seek legal recourse against those who misuse UKZN logos and symbols for actions bordering on criminality."

She appealed to students and staff to verify any information on donations with the UKZN Foundation Office "and not to rely on unverified social media posts". 

Poster with FAKE in red text placed across it

A poster circulating on social media claiming a R10-million donation toward registration fees was rubbished by UKZN.

Supplied UKZN

"The foundation is committed to ensuring that all matters relating to the registration relief fund are handled transparently. Therefore, the university will communicate details of all donations to relevant partners, including the student representative council (SRC). The university is currently embarking on a fundraising drive to raise funds to assist deserving students with registration fees, Zondo said.

"It is unfortunate that this noble cause is being hijacked for nefarious reasons. As communicated previously, the number of awards will depend on the amount raised."

Zondo added: "The university remains committed to assisting deserving students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Any misinformation on the fundraising drive may hinder the success of our fundraising efforts."

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