Education dept hides from Public Protector
GHOST CAMPS USED IN SCAM
THE education department is frustrating the public protector’s investigation by avoiding to respond to a 2012 report into the R674 000 it paid to three schools that hosted ghost matric camps.
In 2012 Rangwedi Bokang High School, Phatsima High School and George Madoda Primary School in Delareyville, North West, were subjected to an investigation by the department’s auditors after R674 176 was deposited into their accounts in 2011.
The funds were for transport and catering for matric camps and music events, as well as teacher conferences. The investigation also focused on allegations of nepotism pertaining to the appointment of senior education specialists TM Mbipha and SL Valtyn in 2011.
The report, submitted to the acting head of the department at the time, concluded that there was some collusion between the schools, area office and the service providers to fleece state funds.
The modus operandi was that a senior official from the area office would request the schools to submit quotations for activities.
Once the money was paid, an unknown service provider would immediately invoice the school the exact amount the school received from the department. The schools took advantage of this process as they were not legally obliged to seek the mandatory three quotes.
Auditors found no proof that these events or activities happened. Some school principals admitted that their schools did not use the services they quoted for, the report says. Rangwedi quoted the department R260 420 for catering and transport, Phatsima received R220 156 while George Madoda got R193 600.
“They [principals] submitted quotations and invoices fully aware that the school was not going to render such service and without their invoices there would be no payments. The department made payments based on their submission and this misrepresentation of facts falls within the definition of fraud,” the report read.
It also noted that some invoices were duplicates and money was paid twice for single jobs.
The SA Democratic Teachers’ Union and National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of SA had reported the alleged fraud to the department in 2011. The report was completed and handed over to then acting superintendent-general Abbey Seakamela, who sat on it until the unions protested in 2013.
“They gave it to us in 2014 but it was a brutal process as some of us were threatened with suspensions by managers who did not want this report to see the light of day,” said former teacher and Sadtu Atamelang branch chair Phillip Landane.
He took the report to various government institutions but could not get help until he presented it to the public protector in 2014. The department was requested to make submissions as far back as July 18 2014 but this is yet to materialise. It was supposed to report to the public protector last Monday but this meeting also had to be postponed, Landane said.
Department spokesman Elias Malindi requested more time to comment yesterday.
Madonsela’s spokesman Oupa Segalwe said the investigation was ongoing and it was difficult to say with certainty when it will be concluded. He confirmed they had experienced difficulties in getting responses from the department.