A shocking financial scandal has rocked Ulwazi High School in Mdantsane, where over R1 million meant for school nutrition, learning materials, and maintenance was allegedly squandered on luxury meals, alcohol, fuel, and unexplained cash withdrawals.
The principal, Mihlali Makhalima — who is also an ANC member — together with individuals linked to the School Governing Body, is accused of treating the school’s account like a personal ATM, while learners continue to go hungry.
Financial records reveal that:
- More than R250,000 was spent at high-end restaurants such as Grazia Fine Food & Wine and La Grato.
- Over R450,000 was withdrawn from ATMs.
- Around R226,000 was taken as cash back from tills at grocery stores.
Payments were also made to fast-food outlets, liquor stores, lounges, and car washes, using a bank card linked to the school’s official account — in direct violation of the South African Schools Act, which demands transparency and documentation for all school spending.
Despite the massive expenditure, learners reportedly receive only one basic meal a day, often just plain samp, with no fruit — even though the National School Nutrition Programme funds fruit and two full meals daily.
To make matters worse, service providers are owed more than R375,000 in unpaid invoices, plunging the school’s feeding scheme into debt.
The principal was suspended only after mounting public outrage. The scandal exposes serious corruption, governance failure, and possible criminal conduct, leaving learners to suffer the consequences of greed and mismanagement.
