The Eastern Cape’s ongoing school corruption crisis has entered a new and deeply troubling phase, after the MEC for Education, Fundile Gade failed to respond to a formal seven-day deadline to account for widespread financial misconduct in schools across the province.
Learners in some of our poorest communities continue to suffer while school funds are diverted to luxury meals, alcohol and unexplained cash withdrawals.
At Ulwazi High School alone, more than R1 million was allegedly misused while learners received plain samp and inadequate daily nutrition. Similar patterns of misconduct have surfaced at schools in Humansdorp, Mdantsane and rural districts where principals and governing body members have been suspended for financial mismanagement.
These abuses deny children dignity, proper meals and safe learning environments.
The Democratic Alliance has already submitted a detailed memorandum to MEC Gade, supported by documentary evidence of mismanagement at Ulwazi High and multiple other schools.
The letter accompanying the memorandum formally required a written response within seven days, failing which the matter would be escalated to the National Department of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube. That deadline has now expired without any acknowledgement or commitment to action from the MEC.
The MEC’s lack of response comes despite clear evidence that at Ulwazi High over R250,000 was spent at restaurants, more than R450,000 was withdrawn from ATMs, and R226,000 was taken as cashback from grocery stores.
Funds were also spent at liquor outlets, lounges and fast-food stores, all drawn from the school’s account in blatant violation of the South African Schools Act and the department’s own financial policies.
Service providers are owed more than R375,000, and the nutrition programme has been plunged into debt. This situation is set out in the memorandum that was handed over during the Mdantsane protest on 6 November 2025.
I have officially handed over the documentation to Minister Gwarube, formally requesting national intervention, outlining the systemic collapse of school financial oversight in the Eastern Cape, the rising number of principals suspended for misconduct, and the department’s failure to respond to legitimate concerns raised through the Legislature and through civic action.
The DA is aware of at least six schools where whistleblowers have come forward with allegations of financial mismanagement over the past months.
Our position is that the Eastern Cape cannot continue without independent investigation and forensic auditing of school finances.
The department has shown neither urgency nor willingness to act, even when directly presented with evidence and public pressure. National intervention is now the only route to protect learners, restore accountability and ensure that school funds are used for education rather than private enrichment.
These actions are necessary because children are going hungry while their school budgets are misused. Parents and communities cannot continue to carry the burden of a system that allows theft to go unchecked. Every rand stolen from a school meal means one child goes without dignity and the support they need to learn.
The people of the Eastern Cape deserve leadership that delivers and a future built on dignity, opportunity and honest government.