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“Our investigation revealed alleged... fraud, corruption and non-compliance with the conditions for registration and subsidies in both Ekhukhanyeni Schools, in Ramaphosa and Denver,” Education MEC Barbara Creecy said in a statement.  

“After following due process with the owners of the schools, the schools were de-registered.

“The criminal investigation against the owner...Pastor Josias Mabaso, is still in progress.” 

She said a departmental official involved in the matter was suspended and charged with corruption.

Mabaso was arrested in a sting operation on the East Rand in October last year after he allegedly tried to pay a bribe to prevent the disclosure of R20 million collected through corruption and fraud.  

Hawks spokesman Colonel McIntosh Polela claimed at the time that the priest initially offered to pay a bribe of R1.2m and then upped it to R7m.

He said Mabaso received a substantial amount from the Gauteng education department to run his two schools.  

After the incident, the department appointed George Fivaz from Marumofase Fivaz Security Solutions to undertake a full forensic audit at the two schools.

Following a rapid audit of 205 subsidised independent schools, 34 were also referred to Fivaz for a full forensic audit.  

He found that seven schools had serious instances of financial mismanagement.  

“The department, in the interests of the education of the children enrolled in the affected schools, formally proposed that the affected schools voluntarily place themselves under administration,” Creecy said.   “This process will involve the department appointing independent administrators to receive the schools subsidy and undertake all financial management on their behalf.”  

She said three schools voluntarily requested the appointment of an administrator. They were Mahlasedi High School, Ithuba-Lethu Secondary School, and New Model Private.   “Phakamani Education Centre is still to confirm whether it accepts the condition of the administrator. Three schools, Crystal Springs Private School, Sinqobile and Vutomi, have rejected the offer from the department,” Creecy said.  

“We have referred two of the three schools to the SA Police Service for further investigation.” 

Five schools were found to have sufficient financial management.  

Creecy said forensic investigations into the remaining 22 schools were still in progress.

“We will be reviewing the registration status of all the schools where we are initiating steps to withdraw subsidies. Closing a registered independent school is not a decision we take lightly,” she said.  

“We will report back on the outcome of the remaining 22 schools in due course. It is estimated that the work will take six months to complete.” 

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Mon May 20 03:50:52 SAST 2013 ::

May 9, 2012

RobinH

Meanwhile, where do the poor kids go to school?
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May 9, 2012

TjoVtjo

This is an abuse of power by the state. This man may have spent the money, but he also has the results. One of his schools seems to have had a very high pass rate last year, far outstripping many state schools run by drunks, but jusst because he never learn corporate governance, they close him down and drag his name through the mud.

They should have reformed this guy, by assisting him and guiding him in good corporate governance. Guys who are able to teach and have good teachers who care about the results of their students in black environments are hard to come by. Sending him to jail and closing those schools is not the answer. Now those kids are going to end up at Highlands North where they will be kissing the girls from Waverly at 09h00 in the morning, and yet they are allowed to keep running schools. This is not justice!
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May 9, 2012

RobinH

TjoVtjo: "kissing the girls from Waverley" ????? What has that got to do with anything?
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May 9, 2012

MommaC

LOL
I don't think the 'do unto others' is covered by a bribe.
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May 9, 2012

SebolaNtimetseAdikateMoketla

@tjovtjo
Now those kids are going to end up at Highlands North where they will be kissing the girls from Waverly at 09h00 in the morning
..............
..............

that is scary

LOL!

and I should not laugh

your statement raises one of the threats to cultural values

something our kids miss once they leave for school

if I catch those Waverley girls teaching my boys bad manners I will drag them in dust

next to the pavement
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May 9, 2012

SebolaNtimetseAdikateMoketla

This is a sad story

we need capable, intelligent, Black educators

But with regards to corruption

Pastor,

Sorry- WE CANT HELP YOU!!
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May 9, 2012

iPhone4

I like the way he raised his stake of the bribe the school has money pity it's spent on bribes.
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