ActionSA has hailed the resignation of the Dr Knak Primary School principal after mounting allegations of financial mismanagement and misconduct, including claims of lavish spending while pupils learned in crumbling classrooms.
John Moodey, ActionSA Member of the Gauteng Legislature, said the principal’s resignation followed unrelenting pressure from the School Governing Body (SGB) and concerned community members who exposed serious governance failures at the school.
“This development is a direct result of the tireless efforts of the SGB and community members who flagged these issues,” he said.
The allegations against the principal included financial mismanagement, among them the purchase of an office chair worth R9,500 while classrooms were starved of basic learning materials and learners were forced to use unhygienic, unsafe toilets.
Moodey said the SGB had repeatedly raised red flags about the principal’s leadership, accusing him of poor governance and allowing the school’s infrastructure to deteriorate.
“In March 2025, I formally wrote to the Gauteng MEC for Education in my capacity as SCOPA Chair, calling for an urgent investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds at the school, including payments to unapproved suppliers, duplicate invoicing and unauthorised monthly payments into staff accounts,” he said.
Moodey added that while the principal was ordered to repay the money spent on the overpriced chair and the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) admitted to the school’s infrastructural problems, even appointing a contractor to address them, conditions at Dr Knak Primary continued to deteriorate, showing little to no improvement despite these interventions.
He emphasised that ActionSA is calling for stronger governance in schools to empower SGBs to challenge corruption and ensure that parents, teachers, and the community have a meaningful role in overseeing school finances and operations.
“School management must guarantee that teaching and learning continue uninterrupted, that learner welfare is protected, and that the school environment is fit for purpose,” he said.
Moodey added that while the principal’s resignation offers a chance to reset governance, it does not absolve him of the responsibility to repay misappropriated funds.
“ActionSA reiterates the importance of protecting whistleblowers who bring such maladministration to light, and we commend the role played by the School Governing Body (SGB) and community members for having flagged these shenanigans. We will continue to monitor this case and intervene where needed, prioritizing the best interests of learners and the responsible use of public resources,” he said.
However, GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona clarified that the principal did not resign but retired, adding that the allegations of financial mismanagement and governance failures remain under official investigation.
“The GDE can confirm that the principal of Dr Knak Primary School did not resign but opted for retirement since he is eligible and of pensionable age.
“Accordingly, the issues of financial mismanagement and poor governance against the said principal are still under investigation.”
Mabona further noted that renovation work at the school had been completed.
“It must be noted that the Department appointed a service provider to repair the toilets and the entire plumbing of the said school and as such, the renovations at the school were done and concluded.
“The Department also conducts regular training and empowerment of SGBs where there are indications that there is a need,” he added.
The Star
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