EASTERN CAPE NEWS - The recently established civic movement, Phakama Eastern Cape, has expressed its alarm regarding ongoing allegations of misappropriation of funds intended for school nutrition, learning materials, and basic infrastructure improvements in schools across the province.

In a press statement released on Monday 27 October, Phakama Eastern Cape chairperson Mzingisi Tupa said the organisation is increasingly concerned after media reports alleging that the principal of Ulwazi High School in Mdantsane, Mihlali Makhalima, misappropriated more than R1m intended for school meals, educational materials and urgent repairs. 

According to reports, large amounts were spent at luxury restaurants and retail outlets, and over R450 000 was withdrawn from ATMs. 

The Eastern Cape Department of Education has since suspended Makhalima and confirmed that an investigation is under way.

'Moral betrayal'

Tupa said Phakama condemns such conduct in the strongest possible terms. “If proven true, it represents not only a severe act of corruption, but a moral betrayal of the most vulnerable learners in the province,” he stated.

Phakama’s media liaison officer, Luzuko Gedze, told Graaff-Reinet Advertiser that they are aware of several instances suggesting possible misuse of funds, but these instances remain unverified due to a lack of transparency and oversight. 

Gedze confirmed that there have been no officially reported cases of financial misconduct within the Sarah Baartman District in general and the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality in particular. 

However, according to him, the absence of formal reports does not mean funds are being properly used as there is no effective monitoring at present.

Provincial audit

For this reason, Phakama called for an independent provincial audit of all school nutrition and learning support programme expenditure to uncover other possible instances of misuse of public funds. 

The organisation also called for the criminal prosecution of all individuals, including any school governing body members, found to have benefited from such corruption, as well as the permanent barring from public service of any official or educator found guilty of such misconduct.

Call for transparency

The organisation reiterated that corruption in education does not only steal money - it steals the futures of countless young South Africans. 

“Phakama stands in solidarity with teachers, learners, and parents who continue to suffer the consequences of failed oversight and collapsing accountability,” Tuma said. 

“We call on the provincial treasury and the Eastern Cape Department of Education to implement transparent financial reporting systems, publish quarterly expenditure updates, and ensure that every rand allocated for a child’s nourishment or classroom resources reaches that child. 

The fight against corruption must begin where it hurts our people the most – in our communities, in our schools, and in the future of our children.”

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