ActionSA Lauds Stakeholders for Resignation of Dr. Knak Primary Principal
Press Statement by John Moodey
ActionSA Member of the Gauteng Legislature
ActionSA notes the resignation of Dr Knak Primary School principal, Mr. John Shai, following sustained allegations of mismanagement and improper conduct. This development is a direct result of the tireless efforts of the School Governing Body (SGB) and community members who flagged these issues.
Allegations of financial mismanagement included the purchase of an office chair for R9 500 while classrooms lacked essential resources and the existence of unhygienic and unsafe sanitary facilities. As a result, the SGB had demanded the principal’s removal, citing these allegations and poor governance which resulted in the neglect of school infrastructure.
On 25 March 2025, as the Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) in the Gauteng Legislature, I wrote to the Gauteng MEC for Education, calling for an urgent investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds at the school – including payments to unapproved suppliers, duplicate invoicing and unauthorised monthly payments into staff accounts. The principal was, subsequently, directed to repay the money used to purchase the chair
Although the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) acknowledged the infrastructural concerns and confirmed it had appointed a service provider to attend to “structural challenges” at the school, Dr. Knak Primary continued its downward spiral.
ActionSA calls for:
The strengthening of governance at school level, empowering SGBs to challenge maladministration and ensuring that parents, teachers and the community can participate meaningfully in oversight of school finances and operations.
The school management to ensure that teaching and learning are uninterrupted, learner welfare is safeguarded and the environment is fit for purpose.
Accountability. Whilst the principal’s resignation presents an opportunity to reset governance at the school, it does not absolve him from honouring the directive to repay misappropriated funds.
ActionSA reiterates the importance of protecting whistleblowers who bring such maladministration to light, and we commend the role played by the School Governing Body (SGB) and community members for having flagged these shenanigans.
We will continue to monitor this case and intervene where needed, prioritizing the best interests of learners and the responsible use of public resources.
ActionSA Lauds Stakeholders for Resignation of Dr. Knak Primary Principal
ActionSA notes the resignation of Dr Knak Primary School principal, Mr. John Shai, following sustained allegations of mismanagement and improper conduct. This development is a direct result of the tireless efforts of the School Governing Body (SGB) and community members who flagged these issues.
Allegations of financial mismanagement included the purchase of an office chair for R9 500 while classrooms lacked essential resources and the existence of unhygienic and unsafe sanitary facilities. As a result, the SGB had demanded the principal’s removal, citing these allegations and poor governance which resulted in the neglect of school infrastructure.
On 25 March 2025, as the Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) in the Gauteng Legislature, I wrote to the Gauteng MEC for Education, calling for an urgent investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds at the school – including payments to unapproved suppliers, duplicate invoicing and unauthorised monthly payments into staff accounts. The principal was, subsequently, directed to repay the money used to purchase the chair
Although the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) acknowledged the infrastructural concerns and confirmed it had appointed a service provider to attend to “structural challenges” at the school, Dr. Knak Primary continued its downward spiral.
ActionSA calls for:
ActionSA reiterates the importance of protecting whistleblowers who bring such maladministration to light, and we commend the role played by the School Governing Body (SGB) and community members for having flagged these shenanigans.
We will continue to monitor this case and intervene where needed, prioritizing the best interests of learners and the responsible use of public resources.