‘IT college took our cash, then shut doors'

24/07/2016. IT Training Corporation based in Centurion closes down and students had already paid for their fee for the year. Picture: Thobile Mathonsi

24/07/2016. IT Training Corporation based in Centurion closes down and students had already paid for their fee for the year. Picture: Thobile Mathonsi

Published Jul 29, 2016

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Pretoria - More students have come forward, accusing the IT Training Corporation technology school in Centurion of defrauding them after it shut its doors without warning a few weeks after they had paid their tuition fees.

The students were left scrambling for their money after the college shut down on July 6 without notice.

Student Tameer Ferreira said she paid the school R72 000 a week before it abruptly closed its doors.

“I’ve been left in the dark about any possible refunds or liquidation process. I flew in from Malawi just to study at this place as they offered longer courses compared to other IT training colleges.

“We just want to find out why our money was taken from us without telling us the company was facing problems when they damn well knew it was. These people played foul with us as they even gave me an orientation at the school just a week before it closed,” she said.

Chrizelle Beaumont said her employer paid R20 000 towards her course in November but she was able to do just one module. She was about to write her exam when the school closed down.

“I went in to write my exam and I was told that they would be rescheduling my exam as they had to close.

“ I didn’t think they meant they were shutting down completely. I thought it was for school exams as they were even joking about it,” she said. Beaumont said she was disheartened that not only did the company she works for lose money, she had also lost valuable time and effort.

Leandi Mollentze, also a former student at the school, said they had already approached the police to look into the matter and were told they could not assist the students.

“The only option we have left is to appoint a forensic investigator and their services cost up to R20 000 just to get things started.

“Our only hope is that if the investigator can find proof that the company was run negligently then we can claim from the owner’s estate or property.”

Mollentze said the other students were reluctant to pay over more money as many of them were struggling to raise fees. “Everyone is worried that there will not be anything for them to claim and then they would have lost more money to this whole thing,” said Mollentze.

The school reportedly fell into a financial crisis after it was scammed of R1.6 million after which the owner committed suicide.

Ownership of the company was transferred to the owner’s sister who continued to register new students and take their tuition money.

Pretoria News

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