The current director of the combined school Seatides has been suspended due to an ongoing forensic audit investigating allegations of improper financial management.
Investigation Progress and Allegations
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (DoE) is examining the school's financial status, and a new interim director has been appointed to ensure uninterrupted operations. The School Governing Body (SGB) Chairperson, Kerusha Chetty, confirmed that the incumbent director, Ruwandiran Naidu, was suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation concerning allegations of misuse of funds related to the construction of a school hall.
The investigation was initiated after three parents raised concerns because Naidu allegedly used school funds for the construction of this hall. Last month, concerned parents from Seatides Combined School held a protest demanding greater financial transparency and accountability from the school's leadership.
Parent and Inspection Demands
One parent representative, Kim Barron, expressed concerns regarding the construction of the hall using school funds. She stated that parents were never consulted about the project, which was financed by school fees and levies. Barron reported that they noticed inflated invoices and brought this to the attention of the KZN DoE, which conducted its own forensic audit.
In a memorandum addressed to the Minister of Basic Education, the SGB demanded full information on the new school hall project, as well as a detailed financial report covering the school's income and expenditure, outstanding liabilities, collection of school fees from January to May 2026, and any irregular, wasteful, or unauthorized spending.
Leadership Stance and Next Steps
Chetty clarified that the idea of building the school hall had been discussed for several years, and initial structural plans were developed back in 2021/2022 to create a facility that would benefit students for many years to come. She emphasized that Naidu's suspension is part of standard departmental procedure and should not be interpreted as a disciplinary action.
Chetty explained that the suspension is a mandatory process by the DoE, during which interviews and document verification are expected. A DoE representative met with Naidu and informed him of the proper procedures. The SGB was unaware of how long the forensic audit would last.
Deputy Director Anthony Chellan is now serving as the interim head of the school. Chetty assured parents that the school's daily activities would not be interrupted, and student learning would not suffer. She added that the governing body has fully cooperated with investigators and remains confident in the school's governance and financial control, urging all parties to allow the audit process to conclude.
Audit Methodology and Conclusion
The KZN DoE website states that for a full forensic investigation, investigators from the Internal Audit Unit or engaged independent auditing firms gather evidence, interview witnesses, and analyze financial reports and procurement processes. The investigation aims to reconstruct financial flows and examine supply chain management systems to identify any irregularities. The result is a comprehensive forensic report detailing evidence, findings, and identified financial losses.
Depending on the outcomes, the department may initiate disciplinary proceedings, suspend individuals involved until investigations are complete, or refer matters to law enforcement agencies. A KZN DoE representative, Musi Malambi, confirmed that the investigation remains active as they follow emerging leads. The Department of Education did not provide a timeline for the completion of the audit.
