DOP President accused of scamming desperate students

GA-MPHAHLELE – A group of young people from Ga-Mphahlele Seleteng Village outside Lebowakgomo, are up in arms over allegations that Ruphos Mphahlele, President of the Defenders of the People (DOP) Political Party, has allegedly pocketed R40,000 which was recovered after they were refunded their registration fees from a bogus college.

The students, who paid R1,300 each to an alleged bogus college, Tjale Training, in May 2025, were left high and dry when they discovered the institution was not registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training.

They told the publication that in desperation, they turned to Mphahlele, who allegedly promised to help them recover their funds from this dodgy college operators who are local school teachers.

However, things took a sour turn when the group claims Mphahlele failed to return their funds despite receiving payment from Tjale Training.

One of the affected individuals, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “We approached Mphahlele in December 2025 to help us recover our funds, but he didn’t inform us that Tjale College had already paid the refund to him. When we find out, we asked Mphahlele about the money, and he said it was paid into the party’s frozen bank account. He’s been promising to sort it out, but it is been months and we are still waiting,” she said.

The situation has become increasingly tense, with Mphahlele allegedly becoming aggressive and threatening towards the group when they asked about the money.

“He is now saying we will get the money in April. It doesn’t make sense. He received the money in December, why is it taking so long? We trusted him, we couldn’t believe a person of his stature can scam us. We don’t trust him anymore and we demand our money now,” she said.

The students, who are struggling to make ends meet, say R1,300 is a significant amount of money and they need it back to buy necessities for their children. They are calling for help, stating that they have been waiting for too long and Mphahlele is not trustworthy.

“We just want our money back. We have been patient, but enough is enough. He is now threatening us and we are not going to take it lying down,” said another affected student.

When approached for comment, Mphahlele denied the allegations, claiming that they have met with the party’s leadership in Limpopo.

“I told them not to call me anymore but to speak with the one who was solving their case. I don’t know their arrangement,” he said.

Mphahlele denied that he received the registration refund from the alleged bogus college operators.

“But I told them since I have difficulties with DOP bank account, let them come in April I will give them the money. Then I will deal with those who have taken their money,” he said.

Mphahlele disputed the amount, saying he was told the payment was R36,000, not R40,000.

However, students are insisting that they have evidence that the registration refund was paid directly to Mphahlele at DOP offices in Lebowakgomo.

The students are appealing to anyone who might help to come forward and assist them recover their money.