DA calls for probe after R430-m used to ‘disinfect’ schools
It cost R270 000 to disinfect a primary school, R290 000 for a secondary school and R290 000 for a teacher's centre.
The DA has called on authorities to investigate the R431-million Gauteng education department has spent on disinfecting schools in the province, over a period of only three months.
According to a report by the department, it cost R270 000 to disinfect one primary school, R290 000 for a secondary school, R290 000 for a teacher’s centre and R390 000 for a district office.
“Premier [David] Makhura should hold Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi accountable for these millions,” said DA Gauteng education spokesperson Khume Ramulifho.
“These millions could have been spent on building more schools and providing additional mobile classrooms to ensure that all learners are placed and to ease overcrowding in classrooms.”
Ramulifho said late last year, the department informed the Gauteng provincial legislature’s education portfolio committee that they had spent R15 000 per school for fogging and that Bidvest had also rendered this service to some of the schools for free.
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“We are calling on Makhura to initiate an urgent investigation to ascertain exactly how much was spent per school and to identify those schools that were also sanitised for free by Bidvest.
“Should it be found that there was an element of corruption where companies submitted invoices for no services rendered, the head of department must explain. The investigation must ensure that the money should be paid back and those involved face the consequences of their actions.”
Lesufi said he was “dismayed” by the report.
The department said Lesufi was at an advanced stage in consulting with relevant law enforcement agencies, including the auditor-general, to investigate.
“I wish to reaffirm my commitment to leave no stone unturned on this, including holding those who procured these services accountable, ” said Lesufi.
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