Anti-corruption group probes corruption allegations at Ntuzuma school

Newswatch has reported on findings made by Corruption Watch with claims that pupils at Umtapho High School were being charged an annual amount of R207. 

The school with over 1600 learners became a fee-free school in 2008.

According to Corruption Watch, parents at the school are being charged R160 for maintenance, R35 for a new student card and R12 per registration form for each child each year. 

The group's Leanne Govindsamy says they launched an investigation after receiving numerous complaints from parents who said they raised concern in the past but this had fallen on deaf ears.

"What we've uncovered during the course of this investigation is that parents often report to the district department. Any complaints that are raised with the district seem to be ignored. 

"So you have to raise it to the provincial department and organisations like ourselves in order for us to place that pressure and for there to be exposure for some sort of sanction to follow," she said. 

Parents who came forward say education officials at district level had not intervened after they complained.

The Education Department's Scelo Khuzwayo says their investigations will focus on identifying those responsible and ensuring they face the music.

"The department is currently looking into the issue with the view that whatever went wrong will be corrected with immediate effect. The department will be looking at all structures, making sure that those found having done something wrong are dealt with in terms of the law," he said.

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