The GOOD Party alleges that a R3,8 billion education shortfall was concealed ahead of 2024 elections.
Party Secretary-General Brett Herron filed fraud charges against two Western Cape government MECs, with allegations that they knowingly presented a false provincial budget just months before the 2024 general election.
Herron filed the complaint at Cape Town Central Police Station on Sunday, targeting former Finance MEC Mireille Wenger (now Health MEC) and Education MEC David Maynier. The charges centre on claims that the pair concealed a R3,8 billion shortfall in education funding when presenting the 2024 provincial budget.
The allegations
According to Herron, the budget tabled by Wenger on 7 March 2024 — just two months before the May general election — deliberately understated the true cost of educator posts in the Department of Education. GOOD alleges both MECs were aware that the allocated funds were insufficient to cover the 37 135 approved educator posts for 2024-’25.
“This appears to be the first time in South Africa’s history that a government has been caught out tabling a false or fake budget,” Herron said. “Budgets are not political speeches; they are legal documents that determine how billions in public money are allocated.”
Timeline of Events
GOOD claims a series of contradictory statements and budget presentations have been presented:
28 November 2023: Wenger acknowledged the financial impact of public service wage agreements and national budget cuts in her Medium Term Budget Policy Statement.
- 7 March 2024: Wenger presented what she called a “balanced and sustainable” budget, including funding for nearly 1 000 additional teachers.
- 27 March 2024: Maynier boasted of delivering “the largest budget for education that we have ever tabled”.
- 28 August 2024: Five months after the election, Maynier announced 2 400 teacher posts would be cut due to the R3,8 billion shortfall.
Key evidence
According to the party: In November 2024, Education Department Head Brent Walters conceded that budget shortfalls were “not something that came on this year”.
Chief Financial Officer Leon Elly acknowledged attempts to find savings through relief teacher cuts had failed.
Both officials confirmed “nothing changed between March and August”, indicating the shortfall was known at budget time.
Legal basis
The complaint alleges violations of multiple laws:
- Common law fraud and forgery for submitting false financial documents.
- Section 86 of the Public Finance Management Act for financial misconduct.
- Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament Act for misleading the legislature.
Charges target Wenger, Maynier, Provincial Accounting Officer Julinda Gantana, and Education Department Head Brent Walters.
Official response
Captain FC van Wyk from the provincial media office confirmed that the charge had been laid.
“Cape Town Central police registered a fraud case. Investigations continue,” he said in response to questions.
Maynier responded to the allegations, saying: “We are aware of the complaint. We are currently studying the affidavit and will provide a substantive response in due course.”
Robyn Thompson from Wenger’s office said that the two department’s are coordinating a joint response and had nothing to add at this time.
Political implications
The timing of the alleged misrepresentation — just before a crucial election — raises serious questions about electoral integrity. Herron argues the decision to conceal the shortfall was politically motivated, designed to avoid negative publicity while creating an impression of sound financial management.
