Walk the talk against those who loot from schools

Mention fraud, corruption or theft and the average citizen will probably only shrug. Exposés into looting of the public purse are a dime a dozen as the fourth estate attempts to keep those in power accountable. But when those in the wrong are not made to face consequences, public confidence in “the system” is affected.

In a recent standing committee of public accounts (Scopa) meeting at the Bhisho Legislature, questions were asked about R1.1bn meant to build schools and prefab classrooms.

The money was paid to contractors, but there is nothing to show for it.

The contracts are already the subject of a forensic investigation, but a call has now been made for the matter to be escalated to the president to proclaim a Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigation.

Legislators in Bhisho were outraged by the spending – and rightfully so.

But outrage means nothing if the looting just persists. R1.1bn in a province considered among the poorest in the country can make a significant difference in the lives of children who still have to learn under appalling circumstances.

The Eastern Cape still has 1,598 schools with pit latrines – the highest number in the country. It is also the only province that still has schools without any toilets.

The Daily Dispatch recently also reported that of 5,270 schools, only 554 had libraries where pupils can do research or study for exams.

Sanitation and lack of adequate resources are just some of the many challenges still faced by the Eastern Cape child. Despite all these issues, each year ambitious targets are set to turn around the dismal matric results. How can we expect pupils to excel when the odds are so spectacularly stacked against them?

As a country we cannot afford to become complacent about fraud and corruption. It is the most vulnerable members of our society who ultimately pay the highest price.

Being incensed by looting of state funds is one thing. Until the talk is backed up by action and, most importantly, perpetrators are held personally responsible for the part they played, we will only sink further into the abyss.

R1.1bn in a province considered among the poorest can make a significant difference in the lives of children