Parents in Hammanskraal, Tshwane, are in an uproar following controversial fee requests at Tsebe Ntlha Primary School. On Monday, February 10, furious parents gathered to shut down the school and demand the principal’s removal. The outrage stems from being asked to pay excessive fees despite the school being designated as a no-fee institution. These charges included a R500 registration fee, a R3,000 monthly fee, and up to R1,000 for stationery per child for two consecutive years, potentially adding up to an alarming R3 million.
Former chairwoman, Surprise Mdluli, has raised further concerns, alleging a cover-up of a sexual assault case involving the principal’s nephew. She also accused the school of issuing fraudulent protection orders to intimidate parents. Mdluli emphasized the ongoing struggle for free education in a safe and healthy environment, which has persisted since 2022. She called on the Tshwane district to take responsibility for the situation and stop shielding the principal, suggesting that continued protection of her actions could indicate complicity in corruption.
Additional complaints have surfaced about the school’s lack of basic amenities, such as water and a functional borehole. Parents claim to have paid R300 each for the borehole, in addition to a weekly R5 contribution for civics, yet the necessary facilities remain non-operational. The frustrations of the parents have only intensified, as these unmet needs reflect deeper issues within the management of the school.
In response, Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona downplayed the severity of the situation, stating that the School Governing Body (SGB) had been disbanded due to disruptions caused by parents. He confirmed that while the principal was not found guilty of theft, she was reprimanded for breaching policies related to fee collection and received a two-month suspension without pay. Mabona also remarked that it was ultimately the parents’ decision whether to allow their children to attend the school moving forward.
