Some parents demand reinstatement of principal at centre of R1m spending scandal

Aggrieved parents at Mdantsane’sUlwazi High Schoolhave accused the Eastern Cape education department of dragging its feet in finalising the disciplinary process of suspended principal Mihlali Makhalima, who is implicated in a R1m spending scandal. The parents, some of whom reportedly feel the department had sidelined them after initiating the process, are expected to discuss the possibility of Makhalima’s reinstatement in a meeting scheduled for Wednesday. It is understood that several parents want the department to reinstate him becausethe schoolappears to be in disarray due to his absence.

Makhalima was suspended about four months ago after he allegedly spent more than R1m meant for school meals, learning materials and maintenance on alcohol, fancy restaurants, fuel and other luxuries. Ulwazi is a no-fee school that recorded a 100% matric pass rate in 2024 and 98.3% in 2025. The parents have raised concerns over how the department handled the disciplinary process, with some saying it should have already been wrapped up.

Without going into details, some sources have leapt to Makhalima’s defence, blaming “serious personal issues” between him and a top education district office official as the disciplinary process drags on. “He will be back on February 25. The SGB [school governing body] will update the parents and the media …

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full details [will be available there],” one parent said. However, it is understood that the department had ruled out Makhalima’s return for now, citing legal issues. SGB chair Siyabonga Stompi and Makhalima declined to comment on Tuesday. Provincial education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima had not responded to a request for comment by the time of publication.

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