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By Johnathan Paoli
The Gauteng education department has denied malicious intent regarding the student funding concerns at the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA).
Speaking to Inside Education, department spokesperson Steve Mabona said the department was aware of the challenges and was doing everything in its power to deal with the situation.
“We acknowledge that we did experience some delays in making necessary payments to some institutions, which have already been resolved as payments were made accordingly,” Mabona said on Friday.
This follows the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) demanding the immediate removal of the GCRA CEO Percy Moleke, and a new leadership that reflected the aspirations of young people.
“This individual’s incompetence has caused unnecessary suffering to students, betrayed the trust placed in the institution and undermined its mandate to support youth development,” ANCYL provincial secretary Mpume Sangweni said in a statement.
Mabona responded to the calls for a change in leadership.
“We note their call for leadership change at GCRA, however, it must be noted that the department adheres to labour legislation to employ or dismiss employees, and such must always be respected,” he said.
The affected students include three top-performing medical students from the University of Cape Town, with the league claiming possession of an email sent by a fifth-year student to GCRA pleading for assistance regarding unpaid tuition fees.
Sangweni accused Moleke of sabotaging ANC-led initiatives, such as the Nasi Spani programme, which aimed to create opportunities for young people.
“The GCRA was established to transform the lives of young people, but under this leadership, it has become a symbol of inefficiency and betrayal,” Sangweni said.
In October last year, the Democratic Alliance called on provincial education MEC Matome Chiloane to launch an investigation into serious allegations of student bursary fraud and corruption involving senior department officials at the GCRA.
This followed reports that a group of anonymous department employees accused their Head of Department, Rufus Mmutlana, and Head of Human Resources, Kgabo Morifi, of running an elaborate scheme to coerce junior administrators into diverting payments and stipends intended for students.
The institution has been plagued with numerous challenges ranging from mismanagement of funds to corruption and maladministration, with the Auditor- General previously recommending that the accounting officer open a case against Moleke.
Moleke was implicated in the tender fraud, corruption and maladministration of supply chain management procedures.
The league called for the appointment of a credible and qualified young person who would better understand the lived realities of the youth.
It encouraged any students affected to come forward.
Mabona said department wished to assure students that the matter was being managed accordingly, and it has communicated to the affected institutions not to withhold results of the students.
INSIDE EDUCATION