By BAKANG MOKOTO
North Department of Education is the latest portfolio to be marred with corruption and maladministration allegations. This comes after the suspension of its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Romeo Molema.
It is alleged that Molema was involved in misappropriation of funds and tender irregularities. Now, the matter has been handled by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) as the North West Department of Education is under administration.
DBE spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga said: “We can confirm that the Minister of Basic Education has suspended the CFO of North West Department of Education. This is done by the Minister because the North West Education department is still under administration by DBE.
“So, the Minister has the obligation to act on the task that required her attention. However, the suspension has nothing to do with PPEs procurement and any of those types of things.”
He said the alleged procurements involving Molema took place before the arrival of COVID-19. He added that Molema has been placed on precautionary suspension pending a full investigation into various matters that have to do with procurement in that department.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago confirmed that they are investigating three departments in the North West. He said they are investigating the Health, Social Developments, and Education departments.
“As far as I’m concerned, there are three departments that we are investigating in the North West. We are investigating the Health, Social Development, and Education departments.
“However, it will be difficult for me to answer your question because we have nothing to do with people being suspended. Actually, it is the employer-employee matter, so we cannot tell any department to suspend anyone,” Kganyago said.
He added that there are developments on the matters that they are investigating, but he cannot shed more light as that might hamper their investigations.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Obed Bapela said the SIU has received financial backing to enable them to investigate all widespread corruption involving the PPEs tender irregularities across the country. He said they declared corruption as a crime against humanity.
The Guardian 