Latest news with #GeraldSambo
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga education opens housing allowance fraud case against two officials
The Mpumalanga Department of Education (DoE) formally opened a case of fraud with the SAPS against two officials from the Ehlanzeni School District on June 29. This follows an internal investigation into allegations of fraud and corruption related to the irregular processing of housing allowances. According to the DoE's spokesperson, Gerald Sambo, the investigation found that the two officials had unlawfully manipulated the payment system by processing housing allowances outside their authorised Persal distribution code – an internal payroll system code that links public servants to their specific department and cost centre. These actions were carried out without the necessary approvals. The transactions, which occurred between July and November 2024, led to educators and other officials from various districts unduly benefitting from housing allowance payments. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga Department of Education suspends principal over sexual harassment claims 'These payments were processed without compliance to established administrative procedures. The department has suspended the implicated officials to allow the investigation to proceed without interference,' Sambo said. He added that the department would conduct an internal disciplinary hearing and reiterated its zero-tolerance approach to fraud, corruption and unethical conduct. ALSO READ: New Covid-19 variant: Public urged to remain calm 'Public servants are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and operate strictly within the bounds of the law. Any deviation will be met with the full might of the law. The department will not release the names of the implicated officials to safeguard the integrity of ongoing legal and disciplinary processes,' Sambo said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga Department of Education suspends principal over sexual harassment claims
The Mpumalanga Department of Education (DoE) has placed the principal of a secondary school in Acornhoek, in the Bohlabela District, on precautionary suspension following allegations of sexual harassment. Mpumalanga News reports that in a statement dated June 26, the DoE's spokesperson, Gerald Sambo, said this action has been taken to enable an investigation into the matter and to safeguard the best interests of learners. 'The department treats all allegations of sexual misconduct with the utmost seriousness, and acts in strict accordance with the Employment of Educators Act No 76 of 1998. 'In particular, Section 17 provides for the mandatory dismissal of any educator found guilty of serious misconduct, including: committing an act of sexual assault against a learner; engaging in a sexual relationship with a learner and encouraging or coercing a learner to participate in sexual acts,' he said. Sambo added that Section 18 of the Act outlines other forms of misconduct that may warrant disciplinary action, including sexual harassment. He said such cases are handled through formal disciplinary processes to ensure fairness, accountability and legal compliance. 'The department will also refer this matter to the South African Council for Educators, which holds the authority to deregister educators found guilty of sexual misconduct, thereby prohibiting their re-employment in any educational institution within the country.' Sambo said educators are entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding learners and are regarded as in loco parentis while learners are in their care. 'Any violation of this trust, especially through inappropriate relationships or misconduct, is not only unethical, but also a serious breach of professional and legal obligations. The department is therefore deeply disturbed by allegations of this nature and wishes to assure the public that it will take decisive disciplinary action against any educator found to have acted inappropriately,' explained Sambo. He said the DoE remains committed to fostering a safe, supportive and enabling learning environment for all learners. He called on parents, learners and members of the school community to continue to report any suspected incidents of sexual misconduct by educators – or any other person – to law enforcement institutions, including the SAPS and the DoE. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
