Three Gauteng Department of Education officials are facing disciplinary hearings following a report by the Special Investigation Unit into the awarding of tenders worth R431 million.
The department has on Wednesday, 22 September 2021, served the three managers with charges for the tender which was meant for the sanitisation, decontamination and deep cleaning of schools in the province.
The SIU report has recommended that the Head of Supply chain, Chief Director for Infrastructure development, and the Acting Director for Auxiliary Services be charged in accordance to the findings in the investigation report.
Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona says as the investigations are ongoing, they cannot rule out the possibility of charging or adding others.
“It is important to note that the GDE intends for this process to be facilitated by an independent body outside the department and, thus, has approached the office of the State Attorney to assist in appointing a senior official to preside over this matter,” said Mabona.
Mabona says an “experienced” Advocate has been appointed and hearings are set to begin from 5 October 2021.
“Even though we do not want to pre-judge the outcome of the disciplinary hearing it is paramount to reiterate our position in this matter, that officials who caused this expenditure cannot escape our censure,” added Mabona.
