INVESTIGATIONS INTO POSSIBLE IRREGULARITIES

Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)

I have studied the report on the Investigations into possible irregularities in the 1998 Mpumalanga Senior Certificate Examinations which resulted from the appointment of acting Judge Bertelsmann as judicial co-ordinator of the two concurrent investigations into the above alleged irregularities.

I am deeply disturbed by the facts emanating from the said Report as well as the developments that gave rise to the current state of affairs concerning this matter. I want to assure all of you that I will not hesitate to take all the steps necessary to deal effectively and efficiently with any person or persons who are found to have been involved in, or responsible for any unlawful activities, be it acts of a criminal nature or of internal misconduct.

As far as possible instances of internal misconduct are concerned, it is clear from the provisional Report that the Mpumalanga School Education Act, 1995, as well as the Regulations made in terms thereof, are sound and in complete accordance with the norms and standards as laid down by the National Department of Education. however, it appears that certain individuals apparently decided to deliberately flout these sound provisions. Not only did these individuals flout the said provisions but further deliberately misled me as well as the Head of Department by not revealing these facts. I also regard as unfortunate advice by SAFCERT that I go ahead and announce the results on the 4/10/99 when they were already aware of possibilities of irregularities.

These actions have resulted in acute embarrassment and potential prejudice for the Department as well as the citizens of Mpumalanga and the learners in particular. This state of affairs is totally unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.

Consequently, I would like to announce the following immediate steps:

• I hereby direct my Head of Department to immediately initiate an internal investigation into the conduct of any officials of the Department involved either directly or indirectly, in any improper conduct pertaining to the 1998 Mpumalanga Senior Certificate Examinations, which investigation may result in the taking of disciplinary steps against those officials who are found to have been involved in such improper conduct. It should be emphasised that this investigation is not merely a repetition of the investigation currently being conducted by the SAPS. This Departmental investigation should specifically inquire into the non-compliance by officials with internal procedures, processes and provisions.
• I also support the initiative by the Minister to work urgently on the amendment of the South African Certification Council Act, 1986 (Act No 85 of 1986), as well as the Regulations made there under in accordance with the recommendations contained in the provisional Report; and
• I have further directed my Head of Department to initiate the process of drafting amendments to the Provincial Regulations made in terms of the Mpumalanga School Education Act, 1995, in order to tighten up control measures pertaining to examinations. The recommendations will also be discussed with the Minister of Education and the other Members of the Executive Councils responsible for Education in the other Provinces.

Apart from the above-mentioned, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Minister of Education for appointing Judge Bertelsmann as judicial co-ordinator of the two concurrent investigations into the above alleged irregularities as well as to the Judge for the functions performed and the Report submitted by him.

I hereby call upon all persons in possession of any information pertaining to this matter, to provide such information either to the SAPS, myself or the Head of the Mpumalanga Department of Education, in order to enable us to finalise the current as well as envisaged investigations.

Lastly, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to all the learners, their parents and anybody else who have, to a greater or lesser extent, been inconvenienced or prejudiced for their patience and promise that the Mpumalanga Provincial Government will endeavour to expedite the finalisation of the investigations currently being conducted by the SAPS in order to enable us to identify the exact consequences and scope of this problem, and thereafter to enter into discussions with all relevant stakeholders in dealing with the consequences of the investigations.

Issued by D.D. Mabuza

Member of the Executive Council for Education: Mpumalanga

29 April 1999