By: Sello Theletsane
The Gauteng Department of Education has suspended three senior managers for their role in the decontamination and cleaning of schools.
Spokesperson Steve Mabona said the three were suspended on Wednesday as they tried to implement the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recommendations.
“Following the referral by the SIU and the analysis of the evidence, it has been recommended that the Head of Supply Chain, Chief Director for Infrastructure Development, and Acting Director for Auxiliary Services be charged in accordance to the findings in the investigation report. As these investigations are still ongoing, we cannot rule out the possibility of charging or adding others,” he said.
Mabona added that the department intended to appoint an independent body to facilitate the process. He said the department has approached the Office of the State Attorney to appoint a senior official to preside over this matter.
“Subsequently, an experienced Advocate has been appointed in that regard, and hearings are set to begin from 5 October 2021. We remain grateful to the SIU for the work done thus far and we are committed to cooperating with them,” he said.
The SIU launched an investigation into the department after it emerged that over R400 million was spent on school decontamination and cleaning in three months. At least 173 service providers appointed to decontaminate the schools were not accredited and not on the Central Supplier Database (CSD).
Mabona said while investigations were still ongoing, those in the wrong had to be punished.
“Even though we do not want to pre-judge the outcome of the disciplinary hearing, it is paramount to reiterate our position in this matter that the officials who caused this expenditure cannot escape our censure,” he said.
