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Empangeni school delves into financial turmoil

The source close to the SGB, said that an internal investigation was initiated on Friday, 5 November and was completed on Tuesday, 3 December last year

THE Empangeni Preparatory School governing body has completed its internal investigation of the alleged school funds mismanagement and corruption activities which they claimed happened last year.

The source close to the SGB, said that an internal investigation was initiated on Friday, 5 November and was completed on Tuesday, 3 December last year.

‘A lot of discrepancies were found. The investigation was focusing on alleged fraud activities, such as the unapproved salary adjustments of three SGB employees and the purchase of furniture amounting to R101 250.

‘The installation of a soap dispenser project, toilet holders amounting to R107 815, the renting of a school house, unapproved renovations at the school house and irregularities on services rendered by contractors were examined.

‘All these activities were picked up by the SGB members while checking the school bank statements last year, and the principal, Bonakuqala Dlamuka and the finance clerk could not provide satisfactory answers to these allegations which forced the SGB to launch an internal investigation,’ she said.

The source said that a finance clerk was hired by the SGB to handle the financial affairs on their behalf, but not to take any decision on their behalf.

‘When they picked up that the finance clerk had given herself a double salary increment without the SGB’s permission, they questioned her.

‘Her response was that the increment was verbally authorised by the principal after she had produced her teaching qualification.

‘The SGB requested the Department of Education to institute its own investigation and take necessary steps against those who are responsible for wrongdoings, but up until today the department is showing no interest in this matter.

‘She was not hired as a teacher or hired by the government; she was just a finance clerk employed by the SGB,’ she said.

The SGB chair, Rev Dumisani Dlamini confirmed that an internal investigation report was forwarded to the District Department of Education and would not comment any further.

King Cetshwayo District Director of Education, Dr David Chonco, confirmed that they have received a report.

‘We have forwarded the report to our Human Resource department to see what steps need to be taken,’ Chonco said.

 

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