Shock waves were sent through Paarl and Wellington last Thursday when two respected school principals from the respective towns were arrested on charges relating to corruption with school transport subsidies.
The two are part of a group of people, including other principals elsewhere, who have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the illegal management of some learners’ transport allowances, which were made available by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
The alleged theft and fraud amounts to approximately R12 million.
The news of the arrests spread like wildfire shortly after they were placed in police custody. Residents are still in disbelief over what happened.
A lengthy trial is sure to follow and there will for a long time not be any actual answers to all these allegations.
But the mere fact that these arrests have been made and charges laid tarnishes the reputation of these schools.
And what kind of message must this not send out to the hundreds of learners who attend these schools.
Teachers must be a strong example for the youth and any misdemeanours committed by educators are a severe act against the education and future of our youth.
