HUNDREDS of Zululand teachers gathered on Monday to open a case of fraud after unauthorised insurance deductions were made from their salaries.
They assembled at Empangeni Preparatory School along with Department of Education (DoE) District Director, David Chonco and his financial department, as well as Empangeni SAPS officials.
These authorities were deployed to assist the victimised teachers in drafting statements, to collate information and to follow leads in the hopes of tracing the person responsible for making the deductions.
According to DoE Deputy Director of Finance, Sipho Mntungwa, brokerage companies have direct access to the departments’ Persal System.
‘Policy applications bypass the department and have been deducted via the megatape in the treasury’s office,’ he said.
However, authority to access the megatapes is only given in writing, which leads to suspicion that officials within the DoE may also be subject to an inquiry.
A case of fraud has been opened, and pending the outcome of internal investigations by the DoE a subsequent case of corruption could be opened at the SAPS.
The saga comes after irate teachers demanded an explanation from a local insurance broker last week after funeral policies were opened in their names without their consent.
Xhoko Financial Services, contracted by 1Life Direct Insurance, reportedly sold hundreds of funeral policies ranging between R500 and R800 to teachers within the uThungulu District.
Teachers completed and submitted cancellation forms to the department’s finance office who, according to Chonco, have a ‘fully functional security system’ and further deductions in the coming months would be blocked.
The severe effects of the scam has seen KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu and KZN MEC for Education Peggy Nkonyeni step up to resolve the matter.
Teachers who have fallen victim to the scam and failed to attend Fridays’ meeting must report to the district offices – in line with a circular issued by the department.
