This comes after the board of governors detected financial irregularities during a forensic investigation conducted into funds donated to the school prior to 2021.
THE BOARD of governors at St Patrick’s Christian Brothers’ College (CBC) in Kimberley has detected financial irregularities during a forensic investigation that was conducted into funds donated to the school prior to 2021.
The school has, however, not disclosed the amount in question.
The board indicated that the independent forensic investigation was launched to ensure that all funds donated to the school, as well as school fees collected, were properly accounted for.
“Based on the information subsequently received by the board of governors, it appears that certain financial impropriety did occur.”
It was advised that the misappropriated funds, “while significant, were nowhere near” the figures circulated in rumours in Kimberley.
The board of governors said they were addressing the irregularities concerned by strengthening internal control processes.
“We will exercise legal options to recover any funds of the school that may have been misappropriated or irregularly disbursed.
“As a school we are thus able to continue to operate on a ‘business as usual’ basis.
Due to the sensitive nature of the financial and legal processes that need to be followed we will, at an appropriate time, disclose the outcome of the processes currently unfolding.”
It stated that the matter would not affect the operations of the school or result in an increase in school fees.
“The events described above will not, in any form or manner, result in the school not being able to continue its operations, classes becoming bigger or result in an increase of school fees beyond the normal increase for 2022.”
The executive head of St Patrick’s CBC, Craig Neave, said that no further information could be released until the finalisation of the investigation.
“Any further unsubstantiated information could affect the investigation and be defamatory.
“By law the school is obliged to report suspected fraud to the Hawks.
“I encourage you not to speculate on the amount involved or any other details not provided in the official statement.”
The Hawks on Tuesday were not able to confirm the investigation, where provincial spokesperson Nomthandazo Mnisi had “no knowledge” regarding the matter.
