We reported this week that two employees of Rutsiro District resigned after it was discovered they haf used fake academic transcripts to get their jobs. This followed a recent police swoop where two men were arrested in connection with the increasing number of counterfeited documents that included drivers’ licenses, academic degrees and court documents to mention but a few. While people will always seek fraudulent methods to get employment, it should be the responsibility of the employers to conduct thorough screening of candidates and their application documents. We have, in the past, heard of nurses being fired after investigations prove that they were hired based on forged credentials. What is worrying is that, by the time they are discovered, they have been entrusted with patients. For such cases, there is absolutely nothing that can justify putting someone’s life in the hands of a fraudster. Therefore, it should be the employers’ responsibility to carry out a background check. And, this cuts across all sectors, be it education or justice to mention but a few.Before this problem escalates, all institutions that produce highly sought after documents, should look into producing papers that are complicated to forge. With the availability of technology, there are various ways that documents can be enhanced in such a way that a fake copy would easily be identified. For the employers, going the extra mile to verify authenticity of documents may be tedious, but, at the end of the day it can save your institution or company a lot. Ends
