Allegations of corruption in KwaZulu-Natal education: Teaching posts sold for R2,800

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has taken a controversial stance by refusing to investigate allegations suggesting that officials are selling teaching posts to desperate unemployed teachers for R2,800. 

The department's spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi, stated that they cannot act on claims that have not been officially reported to them. “We can’t investigate allegations that have not been reported to us. Who are we going to investigate, and who is the complainant?” he questioned.

When the name of the alleged perpetrator, Jabulani Ndlovu from Umlazi District, was mentioned, Mahlambi revealed that Ndlovu had retired 15 years ago, further complicating the potential for accountability. 

“The old man retired 15 years ago; ask the victims to share the information with me,” he responded, seemingly dismissive of ongoing claims. This comes in the wake of a Daily News exposé detailing how unsuspecting unemployed teachers were coerced into paying for positions at Verulam Secondary School in Durban. 

In an interview last week, Ndlovu admitted to the practice, asserting that the fee was legitimate. “I know of the incident, and we do charge that amount. The reason I am charging that amount is because of the people I work with,” he stated before abruptly ending the conversation.

The revelations have invoked outrage among parents, especially those whose children struggle to secure permanent teaching roles due to these corrupt practices. One former teacher, speaking to the publication the Raymond Moodley, not his real name, expressed deep frustration over the systemic corruption. 

"There is so much corruption in education; it is unbelievable," she lamented, revealing her own struggle for permanent employment despite being a qualified educator, now reduced to serving in non-permanent School Governing Body posts.

Moodley further highlighted that corruption extends beyond individual incidents, indicating that a culture of bribery has taken root in the Umlazi and Karanja districts. He noted alarming instances, such as a remarkably young Head of Department (HOD) at a local school, attributing such irregularities to corruption. 

"Everyone knows, but no one does anything because they’re protecting themselves,” he added, echoing sentiments of helplessness among educators. Earlier this year, reports surfaced of teaching jobs being sold for up to R25,000, triggering urgent discussions about the integrity of hiring practices in schools.

Officials described an entrenched "mafia" operating within the government, preying on desperate newly qualified teachers.

The situation has drawn the attention of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, which raised serious concerns about corrupt practices in the education sector.

Jan de Villiers, the Chairperson of the committee, acknowledged ongoing investigations by the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC), which aims for a comprehensive verification of teacher qualifications, with findings expected by October 2025.

The scope of the problem appears staggering; educators who have invested years and financial resources into their studies are being asked to pay bribes for jobs they are legally qualified to perform.

De Villiers described such corrupt practices as "outright extortion," labelling them as “one of the most tragic and worst examples of wasted state expenditure.”