The principal of a primary School in Katlehong has lost a case before the Education Labour Relations Council, which upheld her dismissal for financial misconduct.
The school had received vouchers from the education department worth R178 183, to be used for scholastic materials and a photocopying machine, but these were used by staff and members of the governing body to purchase personal items, including KFC.
The vouchers were issued as part of a procedure to allow schools to buy items that the department was not able to supply. The department maintains that these vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash.
However, the school was allegedly doing this with members of staff and the governing body.
The principal, Catherine Nyirenda, denied wrongdoing, saying that she had not received training on the use of the vouchers. By her account, the school was busy constructing a staff room, and had used this money to buy the necessary pupils’ readers and the photocopy machine. Cash had then been collected in exchange for vouchers, and used to pay the builders.
She added that shops had refused to accept the vouchers when the school had attempted to use them.
The arbitrator in the case said that there were numerous inconsistencies in Nyirenda’s account, and that her role was one in which a great deal of trust was vested. Her dismissal needed to stand.
Nyirenda’s legal team said that they intended to appeal.