Palmview Secondary School Governing Body (SGB) member, Nishal Singh, has called for an urgent meeting following allegations of serious irregularities in the school’s National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). Singh said concerns raised during previous SGB meetings and in WhatsApp correspondence had not been adequately addressed, despite the matter being discussed on several occasions.
Speaking to the Phoenix Tabloid, Singh said that the school had for several years maintained an enrolment of between 100 and 200 learners in the nutrition programme, but recent information had allegedly revealed serious discrepancies in how the scheme was being managed. He alleged that food items intended for the NSNP were removed from the school and distributed to individuals unknown to the SGB. Singh said clarity was needed on whether the SGB chairperson was aware of or had authorised the distribution of the food.
Singh further claimed that educators are allegedly instructing learners to sign attendance registers in order to artificially increase the number of beneficiaries recorded in the programme. He said this appeared to be a coordinated effort to misrepresent the actual number of learners receiving meals. Singh said: “Despite the matter being brought to the attention of the SGB chairperson, no corrective action has been taken, but rather, it has been suggested that learners are signing on behalf of others in an effort to prevent the programme from being withdrawn. The SGB was also misinformed that a specific quota of learners was required to maintain the programme. This misrepresentation has led to significant financial losses for the State.”
The allegations are further supported by a letter from a learner, currently in the possession of the Phoenix Tabloid, who claimed that pupils were required to sign registers daily in order to receive food through the programme. The letter reads: “My name is (name withheld). Last year, we were given registers to sign, saying this is for the lunch club, and as long as we sign, food will be given to the learners as they need. We signed almost everyday by the NSNP coordinator.”
Singh further stated that a dedicated NSNP meeting had initially been promised in December 2025 but was never convened. According to Singh, repeated requests by himself and other SGB members for the meeting to take place were unsuccessful. Singh alleged that the principal, who he said had a vested interest and direct accountability in the matter, was allowed to prevent the meeting from taking place, and that this represented a failure by the chairperson to carry out her duties to the school.
Singh said: “The unauthorised removal of State-funded food items and the falsification of attendance registers to secure government funding may constitute theft and fraud under Common Law and the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA).”
He added that because the NSNP is a government-funded initiative, any misuse of funds or resources could also amount to a violation of the Public Finance Management Act, which requires transparency and accountability in the handling of public resources. Singh said: “Under the South African Schools Act, both the SGB and the principal have a statutory duty to manage the school’s finances and assets with integrity, and failing to act on known corruption or helping to conceal mismanagement could amount to a dereliction of duty.
Intentionally misrepresenting information to the Department of Education for financial gain could be regarded as a criminal offence that may result in personal liability for those involved.”
Singh has now formally demanded an urgent SGB meeting to discuss the matter and conduct a fact-finding exercise. He requested written acknowledgement of his correspondence and confirmation of a meeting date and time. He also said the matter had been circulated to all SGB members to ensure they were aware of the allegations and the possible implications should no action be taken. Singh warned that a failure to act could result in all members of the governing body being implicated.
Responding to the allegations, principal of Palmview Secondary School, Sudesh Rathilal, said: “The allegations by the Governor regarding NSNP has no basis or substance. The Governor has reported the school to SAPS and the Department of Education on 24 June 2025. The Department of Education visited school and conducted an audit of the NSNP on 25 June 2025. Surplus stock of perishable and non-perishable food items was found at school. All records pertaining to stock received, usage and distribution were in order.”
“School has records of food hampers given to indigent families. The Governor concerned has reported that there is abuse of NSNP across the country and is trying to use Palmview Secondary to justify his claims. The SGB and school distances itself from the allegations and the Governor who is acting in his personal capacity, which is a serious breach of the Governor’s Code of Conduct,” added Rathilal.
