'The most corrupt school'

"I am shocked. This is the most corrupt school I have ever come across," said Lesufi. File photo
Image by: Vathiswa Ruselo

Finances at former Model C schools in Gauteng will come under scrutiny by the education department after a forensic investigation into corruption and maladministration at Glenvista High School, south of Johannesburg, that implicated the ex-principal and former members of the school governing body.The ex-principal, now retired, is accused of using school funds for air travel, levies on his holiday home, installation of a carport and hunting trips.

Gauteng MEC for education Panyaza Lesufi yesterday said millions had been lost to corruption at the school.
"I am shocked. This is the most corrupt school I have ever come across," said Lesufi.
He has instructed his head of department to scrutinise other former Model C schools "that might need to have a broad-based investigation to check if the financial irregularities are a trend".
The school managed eight bank accounts without approval from the department of education. A former member of the school governing body had a debt-collecting company that was used by the school to collect unpaid fees - a contravention of the South African Schools Act.
The National Association of School Governing Bodies said it encouraged the department of education to press charges against all involved and to recoup the money lost.
The association's general secretary, Matakanye Matakanye , said: "Things like this are very well orchestrated and sometimes difficult for our monitors to pick up and that is why we encourage whistleblowers to come to us. "
The NGO Corruption Watch has received so many reports about school corruption it has brought out an electronic book on the topic of fighting corruption in schools.
Lesufi said the department was liaising with the Hawks over the Glenvista matter and intended to bring a civil case to recoup the missing money.
The head of department will also lay a charge against all former members of the school's governing body who were present at meetings where irregular financial resolutions were taken.