‘Cash for jobs’ suspensions
Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said yesterday his department was set to suspend six officials for alleged involvement in the “cash for jobs” scandal.
Lesufi said the six were a teacher, a principal, two general assistants at Kwa-Bhekilanga Secondary School in Alexandra and two human resources personnel in Johannesburg East.
“One of the officials (the teacher) was arrested on October 10 and appeared in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Thursday for alleged bribery of an investigating officer,” Lesufi said.
“It is alleged that the implicated officials facilitated the permanent appointments of the two assistants and subsequently demanded that they deposit substantial amounts into the teacher’s bank account.
“The investigation was triggered by an anonymous tip-off.
”According to information at our disposal, interviews were held in June this year, however, the said general assistants received backdated salary payments of over R13 000 respectively as, according to the appointment letters on the system, they were appointed with effect from April 1.
“The six implicated officials will today be served with notices of intention to suspend them.
“We strongly condemn any criminal acts which [seek] to undermine the dignity of the department.
“This should serve as a deterrent to any officials who might be involved in corruption.
“They will face the full might of the law.”
The “cash for jobs” scandal is not new in the South African education sector.
Earlier this year, unemployed graduates in KwaZulu-Natal took to the streets demanding an intervention by the premier, citing “corruption” in the hiring of teachers in the province.
In 2015, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said a report had revealed that some South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) members were involved in corruption related to hiring teachers.
Sadtu denied the claims and demanded that the report be made public.
The investigation was triggered by an anonymous tip-off. It is alleged that the implicated officials facilitated the permanent appointments.