Department probing use of funds at school
THE Kwazulu-natal Department of Education is investigating allegations of alleged mismanagement of funds at the George Campbell School of Technology in Durban.
It has been alleged that as much as R1 million could have been siphoned from the school’s coffers to pay out “bizzare” incentive claims to teachers at the school.
Some of the payments were apparently made for undertaking standard duties such as placing stationery orders, typing letters to parents, overseeing blood donation drives during school hours, and updating the school’s social media pages.
School governing body (SGB) chairperson Satish Mohun last week told the Sunday Tribune a forensic audit was being conducted into the allegations. The school’s former SGB sanctioned the audit after some members established that teachers had been submitting dubious claims.
Mohun said the audit, by accounting firm BDO, was 90% complete and had so far not identified any startling irregularities. The KZN Department of Education was also conducting a probe, the head of the department, Enoch Nzama, said. “Officials were meant to go to the school this week but they eventually did not go. However, the matter is under investigation,” he said.
Last week, department spokesperson Sihle Mlotshwa said there had never been a department-approved programme for incentive-based payments to teachers.
The school’s principal, Jacques van Leeuwen, was unable to discuss the matter with the Sunday Tribune, as he was not authorised to speak to the media, as per department rules.