Claims of death threats, job scams investigated at Benoni school – department says no proof exists
Despite several claims regarding teachers receiving death threats while one was murdered in April last year, as well as money paid to secure employment at the school and parents paying to access their children's report cards at Unity Secondary School in Benoni, official investigations have not resulted in uncovering any proof.
Allegations of death threats
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) confirmed that several teachers from Unity Secondary temporarily relocated to the district office in late 2024 following allegations of death threats.
In April 2024, the Benoni City Times reported that some teachers disclosed during the memorial service of Seraka Mogoswane (a teacher at Unity Secondary who was murdered) that unknown men had followed and intimidated them in the months leading up to his death.
Mogoswane was shot and killed on April 5 while sitting in a parked car in Daveyton.
Although their concerns were regarded as serious, the department instructed the teachers to return to the school in 2025 because of a lack of supporting evidence.
Jobs for sale allegations
Adding to the school's woes, the department also investigated allegations that teaching posts were being sold.
According to GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona, they received a complaint in November 2024 from an applicant who claimed she had to deposit R17 000 into a teacher's bank account for employment.
'The implicated teacher denied involvement, and with no further cooperation from the complainant, the matter was closed because of a lack of evidence,' said Mabona.
Voluntary donations by parents allowed
Financial governance issues have also come under scrutiny, with allegations that parents had to pay a R450 annual contribution to access their children's report cards. However, Mabona clarified the department did not receive formal complaints.
'Upon inquiry, it was confirmed the contribution was a voluntary donation agreed upon at the school's AGM, with flexibility for parents to contribute what they could afford,' he explained.
The department stated this practice was in line with Section 37(1) of the South African Schools Act, 1996, which allows school governing bodies (SGBs) to supplement state funding.
Concerns about transparency in the SGB's financial records prompted the department to conduct governance training on April 1, followed by a workshop led by the National Department of Basic Education on April 15.
Following these interventions, Mabona stated that all SGB members had access to the school's financial statements, and they strengthened the communication structures to enhance accountability.
Interventions launched to stop academic delince
Regarding academic performance, Unity Secondary has experienced a notable decline in matric results, dropping from a 98% pass rate in 2020 to 86% in 2024.
Mabona said the department launched a series of interventions to support both teachers and learners.
'These include the establishment of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), targeted training in critical subjects, curriculum support from subject advisors, and ongoing development through the Provincial Just-in-Time (JIT) training programme.
'Learners also receive support through Saturday and holiday programmes under the Secondary School Intervention Programme (SSIP), including residential camps,' Mabona added.
Mabona indicated that the school currently has two vacant departmental head (DH) posts and one deputy principal position. The DH posts were advertised in Vacancy Circular Two of 2025, with appointments expected by August 1. The deputy principal position will be advertised later this year.
The department also confirmed that it reviewed the school principal's qualifications and found them to be valid, and that he did not require any disciplinary action.
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