Committee seeks answers on 'Education Mafia'
THE Eastern Cape education portfolio committee has demanded answers from officials about a corrupt clique controlling the provincial authority.
This is according to the DA's shadow MEC for education and MPL, Edmund van Vuuren.
"The committee demanded answers from officials during a meeting but they kept looking at one another," he said.
The committee had a meeting with the education officials in Bhisho on Tuesday.
The Herald published a series of stories on Monday revealing how a corrupt clique used blackmail and intimidation to run the provincial department and line their pockets.
The group – dubbed the Education Mafia – has infiltrated a number of the department's 28 directorates, with some members holding key positions.
This allows them to manipulate tender procedures and financial planning, influence policy discussions and stymie internal investigations.
And the power-hungry group has allegedly drawn up a "hit list" of education officials they want fired for thwarting their bid to control all directorates for corrupt activities.
The two-month investigation also revealed claims that female officials were pressurised to have sex with "top dogs" for favours or promotions during out-of-town junkets.
Van Vuuren said the newspaper's exposé showed the true extent of the rot in the department.
"We want all the statements made in The Herald to be investigated and all the unanswered questions answered. We cannot let this lie. Officials must be held accountable."