The University of Zululand distanced itself on Tuesday from a "bogus" organisation calling itself the Varsity Foundation.

Professor Neil Garrod said in a statement that Varsity Foundation's posters fraudulently claim to be associated with the University of Zululand. The poster claims that the foundation was working with the university in assisting students to upgrade their matric results.

According to Garrod, the Varsity Foundation poster read: "Upgrade your matric with Varsity Foundation at the University of Zululand, a programme designed for all those seeking to improve their results."

"The University of Zululand management wish to state categorically and unequivocally that the institution has nothing to do with this organization and that any claims of association with the University are fraudulent," Garrod said.

He said that as soon as the scam was brought to the university’s attention, the university management approached the police to put a stop to the misleading activity.

"The university has pledged its full cooperation with the police so as to ensure that the perpetrators behind this malicious scam are brought to book.

"The university views this in a very serious light. It is a distasteful attempt to use the name of the university to dupe desperate students, and parents into parting with their hard-earned cash."

The university encouraged students not to pay any money to Varsity Foundation.

"We also encourage students and the public at large to report any suspicious activity to our Protective Services Department on 035 902 6598," said Garrod.

News24