A former University of KZN student accused of faking his matric results in 2010 to secure a place at the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine is ready to face the music. However, he has denied paying a R500,000 bribe to academics who were allegedly “selling spaces” at the time.
Rivaaz Manisunker said he felt “constitutionally raped” by all that had occurred and that his rights were violated by the goings-on at the university.
The Sunday Tribune reports that he said although life had been difficult since his arrest, he had found peace and was currently studying law and focusing on charity work. Manisunker, who has been ordered to appear before the Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court at the end of this month, said he was prepared to handle whatever came his way. He also said it would have been impossible for his family to pay the bribe as they could never have afforded it because they lived “from hand to mouth”.
When Manisunker was arrested on fraud charges, he was already in his fourth year of medical school. At the time, the university had been investigating a syndicate involving high-ranking academics and administration staff possibly involved in selling desired spaces at the medical school. University spokesperson Normah Zondo confirmed that an internal investigation revealed that Manisunker had produced a forged national Senior Certificate to gain admission. She was unable to verify the bribe allegation.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Minister applauds 4-year UKZN medical school corruption probe
Arrest of senior UKZN staffer involved in ‘cash for places’ investigation
UKZN loses legal action over report into sale of medical school places
Med school admissions scandal – first disciplinary steps