Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile has told communities that officials implicated in the misuse of school funds will be pursued through disciplinary and criminal processes, and that efforts will be made to recover lost money following extensive community consultations held across the province.
Parents demand accountability and safe schools
The warnings come after more than 11,000 residents took part in the province’s It Takes a Village to Raise a Child outreach programme, held between May and July. The consultations brought together parents, learners, teachers, religious groups and community leaders who raised recurring concerns about corruption and safety in schools.
Participants repeatedly flagged issues including bullying, gangs, drug use, weapons, violence and, centrally, the handling of school finances. Many parents told organisers they had lost trust in how school funds and procurement processes were managed.
- More than 11,000 people took part in provincial consultations between May and July.
- Key concerns: misused school money, irregular procurement, bullying, gangs, drugs, weapons and violence.
- Investigations are ongoing into alleged financial misconduct involving principals, School Governing Body members and other officials.
Investigations under way
Maile said the provincial education department is investigating allegations that range from irregular procurement and unauthorised spending to misuse of school money and failure to follow financial management rules. The cases involve school principals, members of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and other officials.
"Where evidence confirms wrongdoing, disciplinary action, criminal investigation and recovery processes are pursued without fear or favour because corruption is incompatible with quality education and developmental governance," Maile said.
He stressed the direct impact of corruption on learners, saying that every rand misappropriated reduces opportunities for teaching, infrastructure, learner support and broader educational development.
What parents want — and what the department can do
Parents who took part in the consultations demanded clearer oversight over school finances, transparent procurement procedures and stronger consequences when rules are flouted. They also raised urgent safety concerns, asking for more robust measures to keep learners safe from violence, gang influence and drugs.
Maile’s comments signal a two-track response: pursue those allegedly involved in financial wrongdoing, and respond to broader safety issues raised during the consultations. He said the department will pursue recovery of funds where corruption is proven and will not shy away from criminal referrals.
| Issue raised | Examples cited |
|---|---|
| Financial misconduct | Irregular procurement, unauthorised spending, misuse of funds |
| Safety and welfare | Bullying, gangs, drugs, weapons, violence |
| Accountability demanded | Stronger oversight of SGBs and principals, transparent procurement |
What this means for schools and parents
For parents, the department’s pledge means that allegations of misused funds could lead to disciplinary hearings, criminal investigation and attempts to recover money. For schools it means increased scrutiny of procurement and spending practices, and possible suspension or removal of officials if misconduct is confirmed.
Maile tied the work on financial accountability to the bigger aim of improving educational outcomes. He said corruption “steals directly from children” and that tackling it is integral to ensuring better teaching, adequate infrastructure and learner support.
Details of specific cases under investigation were not released in full. The MEC’s statement confirms that probes are ongoing and that action will follow where investigators find evidence of wrongdoing.
Next steps and community role
The consultations underline a growing determination among parents and communities to hold school leadership accountable. The provincial department will need to show transparent results from investigations and clear timelines for corrective action to rebuild trust.
Community leaders and parents may expect further provincial feedback on the outcomes of the investigations and on measures to address school safety concerns raised during the outreach programme.
As these processes unfold, the focus will remain on ensuring that funds intended for learners are protected and that schools are safe places for education.
(Reporting from Gauteng)
