Two Education Officials Charged with Theft of School Nutrition Funds in North West

In a significant development in the ongoing battle against corruption in South Africa's education sector, two former officials from Thakadu Primary School in Leeudoringstad, North West, have been charged with multiple counts of theft. Mary Ntombi Mielies, 36, former School Governing Body (SGB) treasurer, and Masilonyana Kenneth Selebalo, 51, former administrative clerk, stood before the Leeudoringstad Magistrates' Court on 22 October 2024, facing allegations of misappropriating funds allocated for the National School Nutrition Program (NSNP).

The NSNP is a critical government initiative aimed at combating hunger and ensuring the well-being of school children by providing nutritious meals during school days. Yet, it appears that greed has led to a betrayal of trust within the very system meant to nurture the nation's youth.

#sapsHAWKS North West: Former School Governing Body treasurer and former administrative clerk at Thakadu Primary School appeared in the Leeudoringstad Magistrates' Court today, facing 88 counts of theft of the National School Nutrition Program funds the school. ME… pic.twitter.com/8JClKuxuVU

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) October 22, 2024

The Klerksdorp-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit arrested Mielies and Selebalo after a meticulous investigation, which unearthed flagrant abuse of funds intended for children's nutrition. According to reports, the duo was tasked with managing the finances for the NSNP, received from the North West Department of Education. Their roles specifically included disbursing payments to suppliers for grocery deliveries to the school.

However, suspicions were aroused when a supplier filed a complaint in February 2023 concerning incomplete payments for goods supplied. An ensuing probe revealed that from 2021 to 2023, an egregious sum, exceeding R350,000.00, had been illicitly funneled from Thakadu Primary School’s account into Mielies's personal bank account. A subsequent further examination of the financial trails exposed that Mielies had moved in excess of R174,000.00 from her account to Selebalo's.

Despite the complexity and length of the investigation, the effective collaboration between the prosecution and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) led to the successful apprehension and charge of the accused. Their swift court appearance saw them each released on a R5,000.00 bail. The legal proceedings are adjourned to 24 January 2025 for the Regional Court first appearance, signifying a determined pursuit of justice.

These allegations have stirred up communal disappointment and fury, with two individuals entrusted with the safeguarding of children's sustenance standing accused of self-serving deception and theft. Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi and Dr. Rachel Makhari, representatives of the Hawks and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, respectively, have commended the investigation and prosecution team's efficacy in ensuring that the accused answer for their alleged crimes.

As the case develops, it will undeniably draw the attention of the public and those in the education sector, highlighting the paramount importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in the management of public funds, especially those earmarked for the welfare of South Africa's children.