GOVERNANCE AND BUILDINGS UNDER THREAT AT DUMELANI PRIMARY
By Montsho Matlala
Moloto:all is well at Dumelani Primary School in Moloto, Kwamhlanga in Mpumalanga as buildings are dilapidating while School Governing Body (SGB) members are allegedly powerless to intervene because their hands are tied by education officials from the circuit and the district, sources claim.
Matters came to a head recently when acting Kwamhlanga circuit manager accompanied by three officials from the Nkgangala District (education) descended on the school and slapped five members of the SGB with suspension letters on 26 May 2023, according to Maggy Mhlanga, chairperson of the governing body who is also among the five.
But the five refused to sign those letters and raised alarm to parents through letters informing them about the move, Mhlanga said.
According to the letter seen by Timeless News, SGB members said to be suspended from their duties include Mhlanga (chairperson), John Mutsharini (treasurer), G Makhubela (secretary), FL Kgobe (deputy secretary) and additional member DS Skosana.
Asked why the acting circuit manager would like to see them suspended, Mhlanga said the five and some teachers were in the principal’s bad books because they always insisted on financial accountability.
“We are said to be suspended because the unlawful signatories are controlling the funds. And these signatories do not care how the state of the school is. Dumelani Primary is dilapidated with broken furniture, doors and roofs.”
“They don’t want lawful signatories (us) near them to see financial records and this is contrary to Mpumalanga Provincial government’s financial directive. The unlawful signatories purchase whatever they want without the knowledge of the SGB,” she explained.
“About R100 000 might have been misused already but we are not sure because we found out only during 2021,” Mhlanga added.
In terms of the South African Schools Act, she said, public schools such as Dumelani are run by three tiers partnership comprising the National Government, Provincial Government and thirdly parents of the learners as well as members of the community in which the school is located, she pointed out.
Timeless News attempted to contact Jasper Zwane, head of communication at Mpumalanga Department of Education for comment on the situation at Dumelani Primary school to no avail.
Repeated whatsaap messages and calls to Zwane continued to draw blank at the time of going to press.
Timeless News news would keep its doors open for the Mpumalanga Education Department to enter comments.
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