Shocking revelations have emerged regarding the hiring of unqualified Headteachers by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), prompting calls for a forensic audit or referral to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
This came to light on Friday when the Ministry of Education’s Internal Audit Department appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), disclosing that the TSC had declined to release Commission Minutes or any documentation explaining the controversial hiring decisions.
Members of the PAC were stunned upon hearing that qualified candidates, some with decades of experience, were overlooked—even when they were the only applicants. One Deputy Headteacher with 26 years of service was allegedly rejected due to age, despite being the sole contender. In contrast, individuals who never applied for the positions or lacked any relevant qualifications were appointed.
Among them was a candidate who falsely claimed to have 15 years of experience as a Deputy Headteacher, though records show no such background.
TSC Executive Secretary Nhlanhla Dlamini, who was not with the Commission at the time of the appointments in 2020 and 2021, told the PAC he was informed that selections were made from a pool of previous applicants. This was supported by Under Secretary for Schools Management, Lungelo Nhlengetfwa, who conceded that the Commission had rushed to fill vacant posts as exams approached and schools had no Headteachers or Deputies.
However, this explanation contradicted an earlier statement by Nhlengetfwa, who previously argued that the Ministry had delayed filling the posts because schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and political unrest.
Under Secretary for Administration, Nanikie Mnisi, added that the Ministry had received reports of corruption in the hiring process. She said investigations hit a dead end after alleged bribe payers refused to provide evidence, fearing they could also be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2007—which holds both bribe givers and recipients accountable.
Mnisi said the allegations implicated only staff members, not the Commissioners themselves. Some of those fingered included cleaners, who were said to have demanded bribes either on behalf of certain officers or under the pretense of facilitating jobs through connections.
The PAC has yet to present its final recommendations to the House of Assembly.
Discussion about this post