THE suspended Director-General of the Higher Education Department, Gwebinkundla Qonde, has accused Minister Dr Blade Nzimande of abusing his ministerial powers, including giving him the go-ahead to flout procurement processes in favour of certain beneficiaries.

These shocking claims were revealed by City Press on Sunday in which Qonde details how Nzimande allegedly set up a ministerial task team specifically for the procurement of laptops for National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) beneficiaries.   

The DG also said he tried to alert President Cyril Ramaphosa about Nzimande’s conduct, but the president paid no attention.

Qonde was suspended with full pay and benefits after a disclaimer audit opinion by the Auditor-General of South Africa in July. 

This comes amidst a pending forensic investigation into the National Skills Fund (NSF), which found the budget to have been underspent by R1.8 billion.

The entity also did not have adequate records of commitments of earmarked funds, and found that adjustments in the financial statement could not determine whether it was necessary to spend R2.5 billion on skills development funding. 

The Department of Science and Innovation director-general Dr Phil Mjwara is currently the acting Director-General for the Higher Education Department until the conclusion of the investigations and any process that may ensue thereafter.

In a letter to Parliament’s higher education Portfolio Committee, Qonde said Nzimande encouraged him to violate procurement processes when 500,000 laptops for NSFAS students was meant to take place. 

He said that Nzimande’s task team was instructed with continuing with an existing contract, instead of advertising the laptops on a tender basis, he said in a report in possession of committee chairperson Philemon Mapulane. 

The existing contract would have continued an agreement between Bongani Rainmaker Logistics and the Gauteng Department of Education. 

On Friday, Nzimande dismissed Qonde’s claims.

“The decision to place DG Qonde under precautionary suspension emanates from an adverse audit report by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA). The AGSA found that much of a total amount of just under R5 billion could not be properly accounted for over two financial years by the National Skills Fund,” Nzimande said in a statement.

“These are indeed huge sums of money that the AGSA found they could not have been properly accounted for. The DG of the DHET, by virtue of this position, is also the accounting authority of the NSF. He therefore has the responsibility for all the funds and their expenditure.”

While Qonde has not as yet been found guilty, Nzimande said that a precautionary suspension is necessary so that a comprehensive forensic investigation into the NSF can be done.

He added that the need for such an investigation has also been called for by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA).

“It is therefore a smokescreen that the suspension of DG Qonde is for any other reason than for conducting an investigation into this serious matter.”

Nzimande also noted with concern the continued reporting by some sections of the media on the matter in a manner that “completely ignores these very serious audit findings”.

“It seems the media thus far has been reporting without even bothering to engage with the AG findings and their implications. Media reportage thus far has also not even bothered to study the SCOPA hearings, findings and recommendations on the same matter,” Nzimande said.

The Auditor-General said: “I do not express an opinion on the financial statements of the public entity because of the significance of the matters described in the basis for disclaimer of opinion section of this auditor’s report. I was unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to provide a basis for an audit opinion on these financial statements”.

During the National Skills Fund 2019/20 audit disclaimer hearing, held on the 18 May 2021, SCOPA chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa also said that the committee was wholly unsatisfied with the responses provided.

“The committee proposes a full-scale forensic investigation into NSF for the past three years. Further the Minister must provide a roadmap within 30 days on the process and structure of a forensic investigation, including its potential collaboration with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU),” Hlengwa said at the time.

Inside Education

Western Cape MEC for Education Debbie Schäfer’s visit to three schools in Khayelitsha to assess readiness for the third term as well as engage teaching staff on challenges they experience was disrupted by taxi violence.

Her visit also come after some some learners and teachers were not able to attend on the first day of the term as a result of the violence.

Schäfer said there were some schools that had been affected by the taxi disruptions, which was highly regrettable given the amount of time that has been lost by schools.

She said for principals and teachers have shown dedication to their learners for choosing to work in such a challenging environment.

The MEC visited Joe Slovo High School in Khayalitsha, Injongo Primary School in C Section, and Intshayelelo Primary School in Ilitha Park.

Vanessa le Roux, founder of a group called Parents for Equal Education SA said Schäfer needs to become a more active player in negotiations on the taxi violence discussions.

Le Roux said this must be done for the sake of learners and educators in her province.

“We need to know from the department what their plan is to accommodate learners affected by this taxi violence and that they [those who missed work and tests] will be given another chance to rewrite,” said le Roux.

Adding that the MEC should realise her sector is heavily impacted by the ongoing taxi violence and that she must enter the table of negotiations with the appropriate stakeholders.

ANC provincial spokesperson on education Khalid Sayed said they would join the transport committee meeting on Thursday and demand that all stakeholders find a solution for the sake of learners and teaching staff.

He said it was unacceptable that teaching and learning was taking place in such circumstances.

Sayed said the other challenge faced by schools was that Covid-19 devastation which is very much still present.

“The Western Cape Education Department needs to give parents a greater sense of confidence that schools are ready.

SISONKE MLAMLA|

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said it was pleased with the start of the third school term on Monday, with schools operating as per their temporary revised education plans.

WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said all primary school learners (Grades R to 7) and special school learners (Grades R to 12) would return to the daily attendance and traditional timetabling model next Monday.

School management teams and support staff returned last Thursday to prepare for the return of learners and teachers.

Hammond said the WCED was also collating the reports from schools which experienced burglary and vandalism during the school holidays.

READ: Anxiety and fear as learners return to school in Phoenix

“Unfortunately, a number of reports have been received thus far. Further information will be released later this week,” she said.

She said the department was deeply saddened by the report of a death of a security guard allegedly attacked at a metro central school after confronting alleged vandals on Sunday night.

Hammond said the matter was reported to the police and an investigation was under way.

She said schools that were unable to safely return to a traditional timetabling model had to inform the head of department in writing by July 23, of the reasons why.

“Schools that have applied will be notified of the outcome of their application during the course of this week, and that one-metre rule, as contained in the Department of Basic Education Standard Operating Procedures, still remains the main reason for the inability to return safely at full capacity.”

SA Democratic Teachers Union spokesperson Nomusa Cembi said the union was still waiting for reports from the provinces on how the first day of school in the new term was.

Congress of SA Students acting provincial chairperson Zandile Matyeni said they were aware that many learners did not go to school yesterday because of a fear of what might happen to them on the roads or not having transport at all, as many were depending on minibus taxis and scholar transport and non of those were available in some townships.

READ: School dropout rate increased drastically during lockdown

Zero Dropout Campaign programme director Merle Mansfield said it was imperative that schools ramp up their reintegration programmes by tracking absent learners to ascertain why they have not returned to school, and to ensure disengaged learners get the right type of support.

“To get our learners back to class, we need schools and households to work together, each recognising their joint responsibility in supporting learners to stay in school,” said Mansfield.

IOL

A report by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases has shown that unlike the earlier strains of Covid – the SARS Covid-2 and the earlier strain of Covid from 2019, the delta variant, which is more pronounced in the third wave, is affecting children as much as it does adults.

The report found that some groups among children experience higher rates of illness and that among all deaths in individuals aged younger than 19 years, 38.4% were among adolescents aged 15-19 years and 31.8% were aged under one year.

“Children with underlying conditions made up 19.3% of children admitted with Covid-19 but 56% of those who died. The most commonly reported underlying conditions among those admitted were chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, HIV and tuberculosis (active and previous). HIV, diabetes and tuberculosis were common among those who died,” reads the study.

Tendesayi Kufa-Chakezha, a medical doctor by training and PhD Epidemiology from the University of Amsterdam, said since the onset of the third wave to the peak, the fraction of all Covid-19 cases aged 19 years or younger was averaging 14.6% as opposed to around 9% in the first and second waves.

Kufa-Chakezha said half of the cases in South Africa were occurring in older teens and adolescents of ages 15-19, bringing the case rate in this group on par with adults older than 19 years.

READ: Teacher union questions return to school amid strong third wave Covid-19 infections

Cheryl Cohen, co-author of the study and co-head of the Centre for Respiratory Disease and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases said the Delta variant could have a greater predilection for children, although there is not yet any conclusive data to support this.

Cohen said South African children are not yet eligible for Covid-19 vaccination and may not be for a while.

According to research, some countries in Europe and North America have opened up vaccination to children between 12 and 16 years even though coverage in this age group is still low.

Cohen said as more children are vaccinated in these countries, more data on side effects and effectiveness will be collected and many lessons will be pulled to inform rollout for children in the country.

“Lessons will be learnt and used in the South African setting,” she said.

Adding that there is a case for the expedited vaccination of children with underlying conditions and older teens and adolescents based on burden of cases and hospitalisations in these two groups respectively.

Cohen said reasons children have not being prioritised at the moment in South Africa could include the lower risk of disease as well as the need to prioritise the elderly.

READ: Schools remain shut in 19 countries including South Africa

“Also, the country still has limited information on the efficacy and safety of the vaccines in children. This, as well as the limited number of vaccines which are licensed for use in children may be other reasons,” she said.

Sibongile Walaza, Medical Epidemiologist at the National Institute of Communicable Diseases and Lecturer at the School of Public Health at Wits University said some groups among children experience higher rates of illness and these reasons bear for more discussion.

“The increased case rates in older teens and adolescents, at rates similar to adults older than 19 years in the third wave, requires monitoring,” said Walaza.

Adding that the higher rates among children could be due to generally increased testing in children in the third wave, “more testing would pick up more cases, including mild or asymptomatic ones,” she said.

“Or increasing vaccination rates among adults, leaving younger individuals contributing more cases,” said Walaza.

The Director-General (DG) of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Mr Gwebinkundla Qonde has been placed under precautionary suspension by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande disclaimer audit opinion by the Auditor-General of South Africa.

When an auditor issues a disclaimer of opinion report, it means that they are distancing themselves from providing any opinion at all related to the financial statements.

Nzimande said precautionary suspension is placed following forensic investigations into the National Skills fund.

In May, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) as well as the National Chairperson of the IFP Youth Brigade Mkhuleko Hlengwa, Together with Scopa committee members held a meeting was in the form of hearing to learn the state of affairs of the National Skills Fund (NSF).

According to the minutes of the meeting, the Committee was concerned that in the most recent audit by Auditor General South Africa (AGSA), the Auditor General was said she was unable to express an opinion as to the financial state of the NSF given that many of its invoices were not deemed to be sufficient proof of the expenditure of public funds.

In attendance was the NSF CEO Mvuyisi Macikama, Nzimande and Qonde.

The point of the meeting was to discuss the deteriorating audit outcomes over the past three years and, according to the minutes, the committee “did not find the responses to be satisfactory” and wanted to know who the Minister would hold to account and what he would do and it called for a forensic investigation into the NSF.

Nzimande said  he has been concerned about the deteriorating state of affairs at the NSF for some time now, as evidenced by the progressively worse audit outcomes over the last few years.

“If one only looks at the AG findings in its 2019/20 audit opinion, it is significantly different to the qualified audit opinion of the previous year in that AGSA is saying is that the NSF has failed in its duty to keep records evidencing its skills development expenditure,” said Nzimande.

He added that his main concern is that the auditor general said she cannot express an opinion on the financial statements of the NSF, and therefore not able to give an audit assurance that the NSF skills development expenditure was regular.

“More seriously, AGSA is saying that it cannot say that the money was spent for what it was allocated. This is a very serious finding which he takes seriously,” said the minister.

Qonde is one of the longest-serving DGs in government as he has been in charge of the department after the split of the department of education into two; basic education and higher education, more than 10 years ago.

Nzimande said the DG’s suspension is in terms of the Public Service Act and the SMS handbook, in the wake of a disclaimer audit opinion by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA).

He said Dr Phil Mjwara was appointed following Qonde’s precautionary suspension and will serve as acting DG until the conclusion of the investigations and any process that may ensue thereafter.

The Gauteng High Court Division of South Africa has ordered the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and provincial education departments to develop new plans to feed the over nine million learners that depend on the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP).

The order states the plans should be put in place even when schools are closed because of Covid-19 or learners are at home because of rotating timetables. 

This court order was confirmed last week.

Equal Education Communications Officer said this is a victory for learners’ rights to basic nutrition, basic education, equality and dignity.

“We are hopeful that the new plans that the DBE and provincial education departments have been ordered to develop to improve the rollout of the NSNP, can guarantee that it reaches every single learner who qualifies for it,” said Cyster.

This new court order comes after Equal Education (EE) and two Limpopo school governing bodies, represented by SECTION27 and the Equal Education Law Centre (EELC), went back to court on 29 June.

READ: Over 2 Million Learners Still Not Receiving Food From Basic Education Department, Says Equal Education

The NGOs said the court order was set against the DBE and the MECs of eight provincial education departments for failing to ensure that the NSNP reaches every qualifying learner, despite a judgment handed down last year that demanded that they fulfil this responsibility.

EELC Media and Communications Coordinator Tad Khosa said the they went back to the court to get the education departments to submit progress reports on the rollout of the NSNP.

“This is what like the 2020 court order told them to do but they have failed to do since March 2021.

“We also asked the court  to tell education officials to develop and implement practical and realistic plans for the NSNP which respond to the new realities of schooling during Covid-19, and for monthly reports to be submitted  on the implementation of these plans,” said Khosa. 

He added that the situation had became more and more urgent, with qualifying learners not being able to get meals  because of barriers such as not having scholar transport and poor communication from education officials with school communities.

“The mental, physical and financial impact that food insecurity has on learners and their families is tragic, and unacceptable,” he said. 

READ: 1.5 million learners have not yet received their food from the school mandated programmes

Khosa said in response to their return to court, the legal representatives of the national and provincial education departments proposed that the organisations negotiate a legal settlement. 

“On 20 July, the settlement agreement was made an order of court. This agreement contains clear commitments for the existing systems for the delivery of the NSNP to be revised, and for reasonable timeframes for implementation,” he said.

According to the court order, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and the provincial education departments will formulate and implement revised rollout plans within one month of signing the settlement agreement. They are to ensure that all qualifying learners receive a daily meal under the NSNP, whether at school or at home.

Julia Chaskalson, SECTION27 Communications Officer said the need to feed every qualifying learner during the school calendar year, regardless of whether schools are closed due to Covid-19 or whether learners are at home because of a rotational timetable is critical.

Chaskalson said the DBE and the provincial education departments need to communication plans that ensure learners and schooling stakeholders are aware that meals are being provided.

These plans should also include the manner in which meals will be provided and the availability of scholar transport where applicable.

“These revised plans must be filed with us and with the court within one month.

“After this,  monthly reports must be filed with us and the court describing the implementation of the revised plans explaining if the steps taken have succeeded, as well as what further steps will be taken to ensure that the plans succeed,” said Chaskalson.

The organisations said they welcome the court order and celebrate this victory for over nine million learners and the millions of households whose food security has been compromised during the Covid-19 lockdown and the current unrest within South Africa. 

Rhodes University has joined other universities in the fight against Covid-19 by establishing an on-campus vaccination site situated at its Gavin Relly Postgraduate Village.

At the launch of the vaccination site, Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizela said the event marked an important milestone for at the university.

Mabizela said Rhodes University has assisted in the fight against Covid-19 in various ways since the start of the pandemic through various task teams, departments and faculties.

“The vaccination site marks the latest development and aims to increase the availability of the number of sites to vaccinate the adult population by March 2022,” said the vice-chancellor.

The Rhodes University Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs and Chairperson of the Coronavirus Task Team (CVRTT), Dr Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela, said the vaccination site fits in with the goal of CVRTT.

The task team aims to develop and implement a strategy that mitigates the impact of Covid-19 on our staff and students and to ensure continuity of our academic programme, she said.

According to the framework set out by Higher Health, once all the Rhodes University staff and students eligible for vaccination under the current national rollout plan have been vaccinated, family members and the greater Makhanda community will be vaccinated at the site.

“Our partnering with Sarah Baartman Department of Health in becoming an outreach vaccination site means that we will be able to contribute meaningfully to the vaccination drive of the wider Makhanda community and the Province of the Eastern Cape,” said Mabizela

Adding that due to limited resources, the university aims to vaccinate 80 to 100 people per day in the beginning and hopes to increase this number to 200 per day.

Rhodes University academic and virology specialist Professor Rosie Dorrington was at the site launch to encourage those who may be hesitant about receiving their vaccine.

Dorrington said the vaccine is the only way that people will avoid serious illness and possible hospitalisation from this virus.

“In my opinion, this is the most serious health threat humankind has faced in the last 100 years, and this is the most serious virus that we will face in our lifetime,” said Dorrington.

She said within ten days of the first jab, there is a 90% chance of not ending up in the hospital and being seriously ill from Covid-19. And added that the second dose reminds your body to fight off the virus and gives long-term immunity.

“We are not helpless, nor are we without agency in confronting this menacing coronavirus. There are actions we can take to protect ourselves and those around us,” said Mabizela.

Mabizela said this was a significant contribution in the implementation of the National Strategy of the Department of Health, Department Higher Education, Science and Innovation and Higher Health.

There has been a lot of concern and uncertainty from parents and learners with regards to the opening of schools especially in Phoenix, Durban.

According to reports, security has been heightened in the area. Members of the SANDF and the SAPS were visible in the area.

MEC for Education in Kwazulu-Natal Kwazi Mshengu there has been lots of anxiety and fears from both the parents and the learners from both the African and Indian communities.

We have been inundated with a lot of calls that have said, how can we guarantee the safety of the learners as they return to school today, he said.

“And our message has been clear that the safety is all of our responsibility. As the [provincial] department of education we can guarantee them [parents and learners] that while the children are within the school premises, we can guarantee their safety because we are in control of this environment.

“But we have also worked very hard with the police and the law enforcement agencies to ensure that there is heightened police visibility in the area as we know that area is dealing with tensions within the two groupings within this community,” said Mshengu.

READ: Lack of education has resulted in poverty and unemployment

Racial tensions between the predominantly Indian population of Phoenix and neighbouring informal settlements of Amaoti, Bhambayi and Zwelisha and were sparked following unrest in the area.

Some residents turned into vigilante groups, taking arms and indiscriminately killing black Africans seen in the area.

The vigilante group said they were protecting themselves against the province-wide riots that saw some properties and businesses burned down.

38 black Africans were reported killed by vigilante groups in Phoenix and elsewhere, said Sihle Zikalala, KwaZulu-Natal Premier.

Zikalala addressed media on to update the people of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa on obtaining situation on the ground and the programme to rebuild his province again.

The premier said they are extremely concerned about the reported vigilante linked murders in Phoenix “in which at least 38 people are reported to have been killed by vigilante groups”.

“Those who died in the unrest include Africans and Indians, although the proportion of Africans who died is much higher. So far at least five people have been arrested and more arrests are still expected. The arrests are critical in enforcing the rule of law without fear or favour,” said Zikalala.

Mshengu said he visited Phoenix and neighbouring communities to have extensive talks with community stakeholders to ensure teacher and pupil safety before schools re-opened.

He said they were satisfied with the responses and readily prepared for today.

READ: Schools to open on Monday

“We have been preparing for the last two weeks. All is going on well. Schools are opening [and] teachers have been vaccinated. Covid is now a step behind us, and we are focusing on teaching and learning,” he said.

On Saturday, during her media briefing, Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga said 139 schools were looted and damaged in KwaZulu-Natal and they will cost an estimated R300 million to repair.

Motshekga said it was mostly computers, television sets, school nutrition supplies, Covid-19 essentials and kitchen equipment were looted in KwaZulu-Natal schools.

She said some schools had their classrooms and administration blocks torched. While doors, windows, and furniture were broken and destroyed.

“This senseless attack on education infrastructure included the vandalising of ablution blocks and plumbing equipment, the destruction of water supplies including theft of school water tanks, the ripping off of electric wires especially copper cables, the ripping off school fences, as well as setting alight libraries, textbooks and stationery,” she said.

She added that ICT equipment and the National School Nutrition Programme supplies and equipment were targeted the most.

“What is saddening is that most schools were left with serious structural damages, which would place the safety of learners and teachers at risk,” she said.

In his weekly newsletter on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned what he called “acts of vigilantism” in Phoenix.

The president came under heavy criticism after failing to mention the Phoenix killings in his address to the nation on Sunday evening where he confirmed schools are on track to open on Monday.

In his newsletter, Ramaphosa said the Phoenix massacre would not be tolerated. He said the massacre is regarded as criminal conduct by the authorities.

“We do know from official reports and personal accounts that people were racially profiled at illegal roadblocks. Some people were pulled out of cars and beaten, and some were humiliated and degraded,” wrote Ramaphosa on Monday.

He added: “Several people were killed. Much of what has happened is the inevitable outcome when people take the law into their own hands.

“Vigilantism will not be tolerated in this country. It is criminal and it is dangerous. Since calm has been restored to the affected areas, our law enforcement agencies are investigating all acts of criminality.”

Some teacher unions have said they are unhappy with the re-opening of schools on Monday stating that one in four people are still testing positive for Covid-19.

Educators Union of South Africa (EUSA) National Media Executive Andre de Bruyn said the union finds the opening of schools not only “irresponsible but it seems the department of basic education does not care for the lives of our children and those in our communities”.

De Bruyn added that other teacher unions supporting the reopening of schools are not interested in protecting their members, learners and teachers but would rather hold the interest of the employer.

“Four days before 26 July, South Africa was experiencing a large infection rate of about 16250 new infections and 500 plus deaths in 24 hours,” said de Bruyn.

The union called for a two-week postponement regarding the re-opening of schools “on condition that South Africa brings infections down to under 1000 in 24 hours,” added de Bruyn.

Adding that while government officials continue to work from home and the canvassing on political parties ahead of municipal elections have been postponed, schools are loaded with learners and are told to return to full capacity teaching by August 2.

READ: Schools to return to traditional and daily attendance on 2 August

“There is nothing safe about opening schools and the most vulnerable of the schools are the poorest of the poor. We say no to normal school (sic) in an abnormal society,” he said.

Just on Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that schools will re-open on Monday. Ramaphosa said the opening of schools will adhere to health protocols and other measures announced by the Minister of Basic Education.

The president said the latest figures on Covid-19 infections suggest that the country has largely passed the peak of the third wave of infections.

“The measures that we put in place for the past 28 days, alongside the continued adherence of South Africans to basic health precautions, have been effective in reducing the rate of infection.

“The average number of daily new infections over the last week was around 12,000 new cases a day, which represents a 20 per cent drop from the previous week.

“In the last two weeks, the number of new infections in Gauteng – which has been the epicentre of the third wave – has steadily been declining,” said Ramaphosa.

He added that although the infection rate in Gauteng is beginning to fall, daily new infections in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal continue to rise.

There has also been a concerning rise of infections in the Northern Cape after a period of relative stability,” he said.

READ: Schools to open on Monday

In her media briefing on Saturday morning on the state of readiness schools ahead of the third term’s opening, Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga said more than 1 650 teachers died due to Covid-19 related complications between March 2020 and February this year.

However, Motshekga said this number can be considered a modest figure. Adding that the vaccination programme will help lesson the numbers of hospitalisation and deaths.

Adding that the lack of school attendance will be more devastating for learners who may never be able to catch up unless they return to full-time schooling.

“Every study that has been conducted, shows that a generational catastrophe is unfolding in front of our eyes daily. Something had to be done and still needs to be done to arrest the academic losses,” Motshekga said.

Motshekga said the sector had held countless consultative sessions to deliberate on the reopening of schools.

READ: It will be “devastating” if schools don’t open on 19 July – says Motshekga

She added that based on the information obtained from the provinces, schools are ready to continue to work within the established Covid-19 health protocols, also to start resuming full school attendance in primary schools from August 2.