Gauteng SCOPA Chair Writes to Education MEC Over Allegations of Misappropriation of Funds at Dr Knak Primary School in Alexandra
Press Statement by John Moodey MPL
ActionSA SCOPA Chairperson in the Gauteng Legislature
As the Gauteng Chairperson for the Standings Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), l’m deeply concerned by the allegations of misappropriation of funds at the Dr. Knak Primary School in Alexandra and have urged the MEC for Education in Gauteng to urgently intervene.
Following outcry from community members, some Student Governing Body (SGB) members and parents of learners from Dr. Knak Primary School in Alexandra, I met with the school’s SGB Treasurer and another community leader and was presented with very disturbing allegations. It is alleged that the principal is handling all the finances without consulting the Treasurer and nor SGB.
Other allegations include payments being made to suppliers who are not on the database as well as duplicate invoicing, the School Principal is also accused of using the school’s money for personal use and without authorization and making monthly payments into the accounts of staff members working in his office. There are also question marks around the addresses on the letterheads of the Accountant and Auditor who compiled the annual financial statements and audit report.
In light of these grievous allegations, I have written a letter to the Gauteng MEC for Education, as the Executive Authority of the Department, requesting him to immediately investigate the allegations of financial misconduct at the Dr Knak Primary School and also instruct for the re-audit of the annual financial statements of Dr Knak Primary School in order to dispel any insinuation of unprofessional conduct by the auditors who conducted the audit for the year ended 31 December 2023
I have urged the MEC to consider this request as a matter of priority in order to ensure that money allocated to the school is utilised for its intended purposes.
As a public representative entrusted with safeguarding taxpayers’ money in the province, I remain committed to protecting learners and communities alike and will pursue this matter until it is resolved.
Educating and capacitating our learners cannot be compromised due to unscrupulous conduct by officials.
Gauteng SCOPA Chair Writes to Education MEC Over Allegations of Misappropriation of Funds at Dr Knak Primary School in Alexandra
As the Gauteng Chairperson for the Standings Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), l’m deeply concerned by the allegations of misappropriation of funds at the Dr. Knak Primary School in Alexandra and have urged the MEC for Education in Gauteng to urgently intervene.
Following outcry from community members, some Student Governing Body (SGB) members and parents of learners from Dr. Knak Primary School in Alexandra, I met with the school’s SGB Treasurer and another community leader and was presented with very disturbing allegations. It is alleged that the principal is handling all the finances without consulting the Treasurer and nor SGB.
Other allegations include payments being made to suppliers who are not on the database as well as duplicate invoicing, the School Principal is also accused of using the school’s money for personal use and without authorization and making monthly payments into the accounts of staff members working in his office. There are also question marks around the addresses on the letterheads of the Accountant and Auditor who compiled the annual financial statements and audit report.
In light of these grievous allegations, I have written a letter to the Gauteng MEC for Education, as the Executive Authority of the Department, requesting him to immediately investigate the allegations of financial misconduct at the Dr Knak Primary School and also instruct for the re-audit of the annual financial statements of Dr Knak Primary School in order to dispel any insinuation of unprofessional conduct by the auditors who conducted the audit for the year ended 31 December 2023
I have urged the MEC to consider this request as a matter of priority in order to ensure that money allocated to the school is utilised for its intended purposes.
As a public representative entrusted with safeguarding taxpayers’ money in the province, I remain committed to protecting learners and communities alike and will pursue this matter until it is resolved.
Educating and capacitating our learners cannot be compromised due to unscrupulous conduct by officials.