By Johnathan Paoli
The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has demanded the immediate removal of Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) CEO Percy Moleke following a fee-crisis which has left a growing number of students without funding.
ANCYL provincial secretary Mpume Sangweni called the appointment of leadership that reflected the aspirations of young people.
“This individual’s incompetence has caused unnecessary suffering to students, betrayed the trust placed in the institution, and undermined its mandate to support youth development,” Sangweni said on Thursday.
The affected students include three top-performing medical students from the University of Cape Town, with the league claiming possession of an email sent by a fifth-year student to GCRA pleading for assistance regarding unpaid tuition fees.
Sangweni accused Moleke of sabotaging ANC-led initiatives, such as the Nasi Spani programme, which aimed to create opportunities for young people.
“The GCRA was established to transform the lives of young people, but under this leadership, it has become a symbol of inefficiency and betrayal,” he said.
In October last year, the Democratic Alliance called on Education MEC Matome Chiloane to launch an investigation into serious allegations of student bursary fraud and corruption involving senior department officials at the GCRA.
This follows reports that a group of anonymous department employees accused their Head of Department, Rufus Mmutlana, and Head of Human Resources, Kgabo Morifi, of running an elaborate scheme to coerce junior administrators into diverting payments and stipends intended for students.
The institution has been plagued with numerous challenges ranging from mismanagement of funds to corruption and maladministration, with the Auditor-General previously recommending that the accounting officer open a case against Moleke, who was implicated in the tender fraud, corruption and maladministration of supply chain management procedures.
The league said a credible and qualified young person must be appointed so that the GCRA better understands the lived realities of the youth.
It has also encouraged any students affected to come forward.
INSIDE EDUCATION
