Principal in hot water over school money

PUPILS from a secondary school in Sebokeng zone 7, Vaal are being taught in an unfinished classroom.

This is because the school principal allegedly stole more than R88 0000 of the school's funds meant to finish new classrooms in 2023.

Thabiso Radebe, secretary-general of National Association of School Governing Bodies in Sedibeng region, told Daily Sun the school serves the most disadvantaged community and is one of the top performing township schools in the Vaal.

Radebe said this latest discovery is denting the school’s good reputation as it is known for producing top matric results.

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“We are disappointed to learn about the shocking news about the school's mismanagement of public funds and taxpayers' money. We welcome the department's action in dealing with the allegations. We encourage the department to go deeper with their investigation so that all culprits face the full might of the law,” said Radebe. 

He said the school infrastructure is in a "terrible state" and poses a health hazard and risk to pupils and teachers. He said their hearts are bleeding to learn that department’s money invested in the classrooms project is incomplete due to the mismanagement of funds by the principal.

The classroom project at this school is unfinished due to alleged mismanagement of funds. Photo by Tumelo Mofokeng

Gauteng education spokesman Steve Mabona said the department is aware of the matter, adding that the principal has since resigned.

"It must be noted that we only investigated the matter of financial mismanagement at the school as a result of the non-completion of classrooms. 

"Information at our disposal reveals that an amount of R884 000 for learning and teaching support material could not be accounted for, but lacking in specification as to which financial year. Consequently, a forensic audit was launched and it was requested that the resignation be changed to dismissal in terms of Section 14(1)(d)," said Mabona.

He said the department is committed to clean governance, transparency, oversight and they will deal with any threats that will impact negatively on service delivery and the provision of quality education to all pupils in Gauteng.