The Democratic Alliance on Thursday called for an independent forensic audit into the Mpumalanga matric examinations.
The party’s education spokesperson Helen Zille said it was clear that the existing statutory oversight mechanisms were not able to satisfy the public that the examinations were not conducted with integrity.
”In its media briefing today Umalusi made it clear that it relies on provincial education departments to report whether examinations were properly and honestly conducted.
”In Mpumalanga’s case the education authorities failed to report this to Umalusi. Instead Umalusi had to rely on the police to tip them off following the report of a single whistle-blower whose complaint to the department had not been conveyed.”
Although Umalusi concedes that Mpumalanga department’s procedures were entirely inadequate, Umalusi announced that it was relying on that very department to continue the internal investigation on which Umalusi must rely to determine the
credibility of the examinations.
”This is an untenable situation. It is similar to asking a suspect in a fraud case to assist in the investigation.
”It is absolutely imperative that the police investigation forge ahead supported by an independent forensic audit,” Zille said. – Sapa