{"id":336389,"date":"2019-08-22T18:00:13","date_gmt":"2019-08-22T16:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=336389"},"modified":"2019-08-22T17:08:49","modified_gmt":"2019-08-22T15:08:49","slug":"you-can-now-spend-up-to-5-years-in-jail-for-lying-on-your-cv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/business\/336389\/you-can-now-spend-up-to-5-years-in-jail-for-lying-on-your-cv\/","title":{"rendered":"You can now spend up to 5 years in jail for lying on your CV"},"content":{"rendered":"

The new National Qualifications Framework Amendment Act<\/a><\/strong> aims to prevent South African individuals from misrepresenting their qualifications.<\/p>\n

The news laws, recently signed by president Cyril Ramaphosa now allow for the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) to establish and maintain separate registers for professional designations, misrepresented qualifications and fraudulent qualifications.<\/p>\n

In addition to these new registers – which will effectively \u2018name and shame\u2019 individuals who had been found to be holding fraudulent qualifications – the act also introduces harsh consequences for those who are caught lying about their achievements.<\/p>\n

“Section 32B(3) of the act makes it an offence for someone to falsely or fraudulently claim that they possess a qualification or part-qualification that is registered with the National Qualifications Framework or any accredited or recognised body,” says Qaqamba Moeletsi, a legal consultant at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr.<\/p>\n

“Accordingly, CV fraudsters may be convicted for contravening the NQF Amendment Act. In these circumstances, they could receive a fine or face imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years<\/strong> or both,” Moeletsi said.<\/p>\n

Moeletsi added that a number of personal details are tracked by the SAQA including a person’s qualifications, learner achievements, professional\u00a0designations, and any related information.<\/p>\n

Most common lies\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to data released by LexisNexis in May, South Africans often make similar embellishments when putting together their CVs.<\/p>\n

LexisNexis Data Solutions\u2019 GM, Rudi Kruge said that of all CV embellishments uncovered by RefCheck \u2013 LexisNexis\u2019 reference checking service \u2013 it is qualification fraud that features most prominently.<\/p>\n

Qualification fraud is the most prevalent type of misrepresentation on CVs, Kruger said, highlighting the following forms:<\/p>\n