By Thapelo Molefe
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for a full forensic investigation into the alleged looting of more than R1 million at Ulwazi High School in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, where funds meant to feed and support learners were allegedly spent on luxury meals, alcohol, and fuel.
In a statement on Tuesday, DA provincial education spokesman Horatio Hendricks said the revelations showed “a shocking abuse of public money that has robbed learners of both dignity and opportunity”.
The DA accused the principal and members of the School Governing Body (SGB) of treating the school’s account “as a private cash machine”.
“Ulwazi High is a no-fee school serving over 1,200 learners, yet children are being fed plain samp without fruit and often receive only one meal a day,” Hendricks said.
“Meanwhile, the principal and individuals linked to the School Governing Body have allegedly treated the school account as a private cash machine.”
Financial statements seen by the party show that more than R250 000 was spent at high-end restaurants such as Grazia Fine Food & Wine and La Grato, while over R450,000 was withdrawn from ATMs and another R226 000 in cash back from grocery stores.
Payments were also made to liquor outlets, lounges, and car washes using a card linked to the school’s account.
“This is a blatant violation of the South African Schools Act, which requires full documentation and approval of school expenditure,” Hendricks said.
“The money that should be feeding hungry children has instead funded fine dining and personal luxuries”.
Learners interviewed by the DA confirmed that they do not receive the full meals listed on the official menu of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP).
“Many learners report receiving only one meal a day instead of two, with fruit rarely provided despite being supplied and budgeted for,” Hendricks said.
The school now reportedly owes service providers over R375,000 in unpaid invoices, plunging the feeding scheme into debt.
Some members of the SGB allegedly benefited from food, fuel, and cash payments, in direct contravention of the Schools Act, which prohibits governing body members from being remunerated.
The scandal led to the suspension of principal Mihlali Makhalima by the Eastern Cape Department of Education on Friday.
An internal probe found that funds intended for school nutrition, maintenance, and learning materials were instead used for personal spending over a 16-month period.
Makhalima has denied wrongdoing, claiming that the expenses were related to school events and meetings. However, the investigation reportedly uncovered weak financial controls, unauthorised debit card transactions, and personal benefits to SGB members.
This latest scandal comes amid ongoing criticism of the Eastern Cape’s education system, which has been long plagued by corruption, infrastructure collapse, and mismanagement.
Hendricks said the DA views the Ulwazi case as a symptom of a deeper governance crisis.
“This kind of abuse robs learners of dignity and opportunity,” he said.
“It is unconscionable that those entrusted with the welfare of children are enriching themselves while pupils go hungry.”
To address the crisis, the DA said it will table a motion in the Eastern Cape Legislature demanding urgent intervention, including a full independent forensic audit of Ulwazi High and its nutrition programme, criminal referrals under the Public Finance Management Act for all implicated individuals, and recovery of stolen funds through civil claims.
The party is also calling for lifestyle audits of school and district officials, and a province-wide audit of high-risk schools starting in Buffalo City.
“This cannot go unpunished. If the provincial government fails to act decisively, it will be complicit in the ongoing theft from the poorest children in this province,” Hendricks said.
“Public education funds belong in classrooms, not in restaurants and liquor stores.”
INSIDE EDUCATION
