MDANTSANE- A storm is brewing in the Eastern Cape’s department of education system as allegations of school fund looting pile up and MEC for Eastern Cape Department of Education, Fundile Gade’s silence is only intensifying the public outcry.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape says it gave the MEC a strict seven-day deadline to answer for shocking financial abuses in schools across the province. That deadline has come and gone with no response, no acknowledgement and no indication that the department intends to act.
At Ulwazi High School more than R1 Million intended for school needs and meals was allegedly drained through restaurant bills, liquor purchases, fast-food spending and large cash withdrawals.
Records show hundreds of thousands of rands withdrawn from ATMs and thousands more taken as cashback at grocery stores while children were served nothing more than plain samp.
Similar allegations are emerging at schools in Humansdorp, Mdantsane and other rural districts where principals and governing body members are already facing suspension for alleged financial misconduct.
According to the DA, these practices have plunged some schools into debt left nutrition programmes underfunded and stripped learners of basic dignity. Service providers at Ulwazi High alone are reportedly owed more than R375,000.
DA emphasised that it has now escalated the matter to Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, handing over a bundle of documents detailing what it calls a collapse of financial accountability in the provincial education department. It is also calling for a full forensic investigation, arguing that the province has lost control of school financial oversight.
“Learners are going hungry while school money is being used for personal indulgence,” the DA said. “The department’s refusal to act displays a shocking disregard for learners’ welfare.”
Furthmore, parents and communities are now demanding nationwide intervention, warning that the crisis is worsening while officials remain silent.
Photograph: supplied
