Principal faces allegations of misconduct

Kaalfontein – Drake Koka Primary School, located in Kaalfontein, is at the centre of a controversy involving its principal, Onicca Mabina. Allegations suggest that Mabina hired relatives without involving the School Governing Body (SGB), she failed to pay a service provider that fixed her school’s desks, misused funds intended for school development, and hired staff without following proper procedures. Some of these allegations have been investigated and verified by the Department of Basic Education district.

Howard Maxolo, the chairperson of Drake Koka Primary School’s SGB, confirmed that they had to address these issues by writing a grievance letter to the Department of Basic Education. “We discovered that some individuals were hired without proper processes being followed,” Maxolo stated. This discovery was made by the SGB, the community, and staff members. The grievance letter, which was shown to The Olifants News, lists the names of individuals allegedly appointed without adhering to the correct procedures. “Three of these individuals are related to the principal,” Maxolo revealed.

The school and its SGB are taking proactive steps to ensure transparency and accountability in addressing these concerns, reflecting their commitment to the welfare and integrity of the school community. Maxolo stated that the principal of Drake Koka Primary denied appointing people without following proper procedures. However, an investigation report from the Gauteng Province, seen by Olifants News from Ms. Molobi, places the blame squarely on the principal. Regarding the appointment of Mr. Dibete, the report states that the principal did not follow the recruitment and selection process, as the SGB was not involved in the recruitment and selection of the post. Another irregular appointment is that of Mr. Teffo, who was appointed on November 26, 2021. The appointment process was referred back to the principal to engage and involve the SGB. The same applies to the appointment of Mr. Moletsane, whom the principal appointed without involving the relevant stakeholders.

There’s an issue involving Steven Mabena, a service provider, at the school. The principal approached Maxolo, the chairperson, about a shortage of chairs. The SGB discussed the matter and decided to find a service provider to repair old chairs. Steven Mabena was hired to fix tables and chairs, and completed the job for which he was paid R36,000. Impressed with his work, the principal Mabina gave him more tasks, including fixing 188 broken chairs and 144 desk chairs. Mabena completed the work on time; he delivered the chairs on March 16, 2022. However, Mabena claims he has not been paid yet. “I took the pieces of wood and steel, welded and fixed the tables, and managed to build 188 tables,” said Mabena. “I informed the school about the chairs and created 144 desk tables. When I asked for payment, they requested an invoice. After providing the invoice, they said they would get back to me. Now, when I followed up, the principal threatened to involve the police or lawyers, even mentioning that paying me would mean her children would go hungry,” Mabena added.

Mabena stated that he lost his tools because he couldn’t pay the people who were helping him. They took his tools because the principal was no longer willing to pay him as a service provider. Our attempts to get comments from the principal before printing were unsuccessful. During our visit to the school, the deputy declined to comment.