NELSPRUIT – Six educators aged between 40 and 45, from Gugulabasha Primary School in Sakhile near Standerton, are expected to appear before the Standerton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, facing a charge of theft.
Their appearance follows an investigation by police after a whistle was blown with allegations that the educators were taking food meant for the school feeding scheme for personal use. Structures were put in place to observe and verify the allegations which were found to be true
The police applied for a search warrant from the local magistrates’ court and went to the school for a search. During the search police found groceries from six vehicles belonging to the suspects, and they were arrested and warned to appear before the court.
“It is disturbing that respected public servants and teachers for that matter are accused of theft of food. What makes their alleged actions to be unpalatable is the fact that the feeding scheme is meant for government schools attendant by learners from previously disadvantaged communities,” said Col Leornad Hlathi. He also said that these schools were even declared non-school fees because most parents of learners are not working and poor.
“For a teacher to be accused of stealing such food is a disgrace to the society,” he concuded.
