An extensive investigation instituted by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has uncovered widespread fraud being committed by teachers.
Scores of them have already been nabbed. They are accused of defrauding government out of millions of rands - and acquiring jobs, without the necessary qualifications.
For the past five years, teachers have been under investigation for submitting fraudulent matric and tertiary qualifications. Now some are accused of teaching - while not being qualified for the job.
The investigation includes administration staff. So far 19 teachers have been arrested and charged.
Provincial Department of Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi says, "There are going to be other arrests that are going to be affected because the net has been spread throughout the province."
Over the years R25 million was paid to the arrested 19 individuals. Government hopes to recover the monies from their salaries and pension funds.
"We want to send a strong warning to people in our system who hold these fake qualifications or those contemplating to get them or to sell these documents that we are aware of them and we will not rest until our systems are rid of such people," adds Mahlambi.
Education officials say the priority is now to equip affected schools with properly qualified teachers.
