R3m funds scandal at Mandela school
Suspended principal denies guilt
GERMAN electronics giant Siemens, the main donor to the Nelson Mandela School of Science and Technology in Mvezo, is to investigate more than R3-million missing from the school.
The company’s Johannesburgbased office has requested a copy of a forensic audit report conducted by the Eastern Cape education department, which alleges financial misconduct by suspended principal Pat Toni.
The school, Siemens’ “biggest ever social investment”, officially opened in January 2014 in fulfilment of Nelson Mandela’s dream of a high school in the village of his birth.
Toni rejects claims in the audit report that he benefited from funds in the school’s bank account.
But according to a submission by the department of education before the Bhisho provincial legislature’s public participation petition and public education portfolio committee last week, more than more R650 000 cannot be accounted for in the 2016 financial and academic year.
The report, addressed to portfolio committee chairwoman Fezeka Bayeni, says the school cannot account for R653 188 deposited into its account by Siemens in July last year.
A departmental risk management audit report further reveals that of the R15.5-million Siemens has pumped into the school since 2013, R3.58-million cannot be accounted for.
The forensic audit report, approved by provincial education head Themba Kojana, says the missing funds led to problems with the scholar transport and school nutrition programmes.
The department informed the committee that a fact-finding mission found that:
● Financial control systems were in such a bad state that the department’s administrator, Dr Delarey Mkhatshwa, who is based at the school, had no access to the bank account yet financial transactions were still taking place;
● The school has more than one treasurer;
● Parents did not get an annual financial report for 2016;
● Two school governing bodies (SGBs) were operating; and
● R35 000 was transferred to Toni’s bank account as a bonus in 2014.
Bayeni confirmed the matter was before the committee.
“We have since asked the department of education to conduct further investigations into the allegations by learners and parents then report back in a meeting that is scheduled to take place on March 1,” said Bayeni.
The forensic audit report alleges that Toni, who has been on special leave since September, was the recipient of “unauthorised” payments amounting to more than R178 000.
It further alleges the principal paid close to R97 000 for a work cellphone contract without approval from the SGB or the department.
However, it adds that Toni repaid R50 000 to the school and recommends that a balance of R128 000 should be recovered from him.
The report also recommends disciplinary action and a criminal prosecution against Toni.
The risk management investigation found Toni guilty of “gross misconduct, dereliction of duty and negligence” in carrying out his duties as the school’s accounting officer.
But a defiant Toni denied the allegations saying: “This is just a political ploy and abuse of power by those pursuing me for things I did not do.” He slammed the investigation findings claiming he was never given a chance to respond.
“I am stunned because I am hearing about it for the first time that risk management investigators are accusing me of so many serious crimes.
“I know they went to the school and interviewed everyone but me.”
Toni denied knowledge of the missing R650 000 Siemens donation, the R128 000 “balance” he owes and the R35 000 bonus in 2014.
Siemens head of corporate communications Keshin Govender said the company was awaiting the audit report.