MEC for Education and Sport Development department, Sello Lehari has demoted two principals after they were implicated in maladministration.
The department spokesperson, Freddy Sepeng said Bokamoso Primary School principal in Klerksdorp, Jackkie Pooe and Mokassa Primary School (Taung) principal, Kealeboga Mothibi were demoted to HoD positions.
“The department deliberated on those issues after thorough investigations. Pooe spent R119 000 belonging to the school. However, she will repay the money in 36 months. The two principals were demoted to Head of Department (HoD) positions.
“The two principals will be removed from those schools and be transferred. The department is still in a process to relocate them,” Sepeng said.
It is allegedly that Mothibi spent R800 000 belonging to the school on His personal use.
North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education and Sports, Arts, Culture and Traditional Affairs Chairperson, Oageng Molapisi said they held a meeting with the department on 26 April 2017.
Molapisi further said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the outstanding disciplinary cases in the department and the challenges the department is facing in finalising such cases.
“During the 2014/15, the department’s Internal Audit conducted investigations on allegations of irregular transfer of funds to Mokassa Primary School. In September 2015, the department’s Internal Audit revealed that on the 18th October 2013, Mokassa Primary School received a transfer payment of R627 021.50 instead of R129 027.50 which resulted in overpayment of R498 000.
“On the 21st October 2013, the department requested the principal, Kealeboga Mothibi and School Governing Body (SGB) in writing to refund the department an amount of R498 000. A cheque was issued by the school in the name of Mothibi on 24 October 2013. However, Mothibi cashed the cheque at FNB Hartswater branch and used it for his own personal gain,” he said.
Molapisi said on 23rd October 2014, the school received a transfer payment of R497 491 73. He further said the department requested Mothibi on 30 October 2014 to return the money.
“The cheque was issued by the school in the name of Mothibi on 4 November 2014, and he cashed it in at FNB Hartswater. In December 2014, Mothibi refunded the department an amount of R497 491 73 after being confronted by the Departmental Internal Audit. Mothibi also borrowed money from the school to the amount of R20 860 for the payment of electricity without following proper procedures. In 2015, Mothibi paid back the R498 000 that he took in 2013.
“Mothibi was officially charged for misconduct for contravening the Employment of Educators Act 76 of 1998 on November 2016. The hearing took place on 30 November 2016 where Mothibi was dismissed with immediate effect. He appealed his dismissal through the office of MEC, Sello Lehari. However, the matter has been finalised,” he said.
Molapisi also shed more light on Bokamoso Intermediate School principal, Jackkie Pooe. He added that the school is based in Klerksdorp in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District and Pooe resides in Gauteng.
“She was travelling from Gauteng Province to Klerksdorp on daily basis. Pooe was found guilty of mismanagement of funds at the school in 2015. She was subjected to disciplinary hearing that commenced in October 2015 and was concluded in April 2016.
“Pooe was found guilty and the sanction was that she should be dismissed. She appealed against the sanction through the office of the MEC, Sello Lehari.”
Molapisi said another case was against Onkgopotse Tiro Comprehensive School principal, Edwin Teach Kgonothi. He said the case against Kgonothi started in 2012 where there was investigation against him for mismanagement of school funds.
“It was alleged that Kgonothi used some of the school money for his personal benefit. In 2014, there was a precautionary suspension against him, and the department appointed a forensic team to do investigations.
“The team came with the same conclusion that Kgonothi was guilty and must be charged. It was agreed that Kgonothi must be removed as the principal and be placed at the department to work there. The department failed to implement the recommendation,” Molapisi said.
He further said an instruction was given by Court on 2 February 2017 for the department to conduct a disciplinary hearing against Kgonothi. Molapisi added that the department took a decision that since this case is already implicating Ngaka Modiri Molema Education District; they have to outsource the Public Protector and Labour Relations from Gauteng Province in order for the case to get a fair trial. Newsnote
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