SAPS nab Benoni principal for fraud
The principal was apprehended at the South African Council for Educators offices in Centurion on January 10 and later taken to the Lyttleton Police Station.
The former principal of ACUDEO College in Crystal Park faces fraud charges after allegedly submitting fake documentation to the South African Council for Educators (SACE).
She was apprehended at the SACE offices in Centurion on January 10 and taken to the Lyttleton Police Station, which opened a case of fraud.
SAPS Ekurhuleni district spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed a case was registered and is under investigation.
The SACE confirmed the arrest in a statement on its official Facebook page without disclosing the principal’s identity. However, a well-placed source revealed she was from the college.
The statement read: “Earlier today, a bogus ’applicant’, a school principal, was arrested at the SACE headquarters, Centurion, for presenting a fake SACE provisional letter. The female applicant was arrested and processed by the Lyttleton police officials for custody.
According to the police, the bogus ‘applicant’ will be charged for submitting a fraudulent letter. She will soon appear in court on charges relating to fraudulent activities.”
SACE spokesperson Risuna Nkuna explained that a provisional letter is a confirmation a prospective teacher receives while studying for their teaching qualification. It cannot be used to gain employment and is only for one to get practical learning.
Nkuna said the council encounters at least five fraudulent submissions annually.
“The SACE has a vetting process to verify and authenticate all submitted documents. The SACE also works closely with other bodies, such as Umalusi, the The South African Qualifications Authority, the Department of Justice, the Department of Home Affairs, universities and other key institutions to verify applicants’ documents.’
The Gauteng Department of Education revealed that the principal has resigned and been replaced.
“Following this incident, post-registration monitoring was done. In our engagement with the school community, we established that this matter had led to a loss of trust among parents regarding the quality of education at the school.
“The department will continue to monitor and support the school. Furthermore, we have strengthened our relationship with the SACE to ensure all submitted documents are verified, and all schools have been informed through induction and training programmes accordingly,” said department spokesperson Steve Mabona.
A letter from the school to parents, seen by Benoni City Times on January 14, states: “This letter serves to inform you of the resignation of the ACUDEO Crystal Park principal Charmaine Gumede effective immediately. While this news comes at an inopportune time with the school year about to begin, Gumede and the senior management team feel this action is in the best interests of all parties concerned. We wish Gumede nothing but success in her future endeavours wherever they may lead her.”
The general secretary of the National Association of School Governing Bodies, Matakanye Matakanya, said teachers and principals lacking the necessary qualifications is a widespread problem.
He urged the Department of Education to intensify efforts to monitor the education sector.
The City Times attempted to get a comment from Acudeo College, but the school declined.
When the newspaper asked for the former principal’s contact details, the school refused, citing the Protection of Personal Information Act.
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