BY PHUMLANI SAUL
Parents irate about alleged disappearance of money meant for fun events
A teacher at a KwaNobuhle primary school is being investigated after allegations by pupils that he “ate the money” they handed over for two grade 7 farewell functions.
Eastern Cape education department spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima confirmed the department’s position on the matter last week after parents staged a protest at Mngcunube Primary School related to the alleged disappearance of money, totalling about R17,000.
The matter at Mngcunube was brought to our attention,” Mtima said.
“An educator is accused of financial misconduct and we are investigating.”
On Monday last week, about a dozen parents gathered at the school to protest about the situation.
Landelwa Yayi said their children and others in grade 7 had been due to enjoy a farewell.
“They were going for a meal at a restaurant in Kariega on Thursday [October 20] and then on the Friday they were supposed to go to the beach.
“We paid R400 for each of our children towards the farewell events.
“But the restaurant did not happen properly. They did not get enough food.
“And then on Friday when the kids arrived all excited for the beach, they were told they were no longer going as there was no money.
“When we asked the principal, she told us their teacher had eaten the money.”
Another mother, Simbulele Potye, told Daily Kasi News they had receipts to show that they had each given R400.
Another mother, Vuyiseka Makinana, said: “This thing is affecting 43 learners. It is a lot of money.”
The name of the teacher is known to Daily Kasi News but is being withheld because his contact details could not be traced.
Principal Vuyokazi Gaika referred questions to the department.
EFF regional command member Hector Peter, who alerted DK-NEWS to the protest, said there appeared to be other matters of concern at the school.
“We are calling on the principal to host a meeting of all Mngcunube parents and the community at large so these concerns can be put on the table,” he said.
In a similar case at Motherwell’s Mfesane Senior Secondary School, the department was last week set to begin hearings on allegations that members of the school governing body had used school feeding scheme funds to stock up their own larders and even tried to use the money to buy alcohol.
The money from the provincial education department, totalling about R1m a year, was supposed to be used to provide Mfesane pupils, many of whom come from impoverished households, with one healthy meal a day.
The allegations that the funds were being misused were brought to the fore by three former members of the school governing body.
They said they had resigned in September after trying for months without success to raise their concerns with the department though they provided receipts and other evidence of what was allegedly going on.
According to the whistle-blowers, the school governing body members also allegedly claimed for transport to meetings even when there was no meeting.
Furthermore, no budget or financial plan had been drawn up to properly manage the spending of funds, as the governing body was required to do.
Daily Kasi News 