Following the article Sandringham High in fraud controversy in North Eastern Tribune week ending 12 September 2014, it was mentioned that the department was reeling from controversy after police arrested a Sandringham High School teacher and a school governing body member. The two suspects were under investigation for fraud.
Sandringham police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Moses Maphakela said the two suspects, a man and a woman, were arrested for fraud. Maphakela said, “This followed a prolonged and thorough investigation following criminal charges laid by the school’s governing body members.” A fuming member of the school’s governing body, who spoke to North Eastern Tribune, said the school had been without a principal.
The arrested duo allegedly rented out the principal’s house and collected the rent for themselves, which they were supposed to deposit into the school’s bank account. The member claimed the accused rented out the house from April this year without the knowledge of other governing body members. The member said in April the accused also allegedly pocketed R3 000 as a deposit, because the tenants moved in, in the middle of the month and paid a R6 000 monthly rental.
The visibly-shocked member alleged the two accused continued to collect the rent until the governing body realised in late June that there were tenants living in the house. The member said when the governing body approached the duo, they gave contradicting versions of the situation. The governing body then decided to open a case against the accused. Another governing body member added that they also reported the matter to the provincial department of education.
The department’s spokesperson, Phumla Sekhonyane then said they were aware of allegations of irregularities at the school. Sekhonyane said the matter was brought to the attention of the risk management unit for further investigation. Sekhonyane said, “Based on the evidence presented, the department had appointed an independent forensic firm to audit the financial books of Sandringham High School. The investigation had been concluded and had revealed weaknesses in governance and financial management. The report recommendations have been forwarded to the office of the head of department for consideration.”
