Cape Town – The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has issued a stern advisory to parents following reports of an individual operating under the name “Godfrey” who is allegedly requesting bribes in order to secure school placements for the 2026 academic year.
In the official statement, the department “categorically state[d] that there is no person by the name of ‘Godfrey’ employed by the GDE in Tshwane, or any of our district offices, who is responsible for placements.” It emphasised that parents are “strongly cautioned not to pay anyone who claims they can secure a school placement.”
The department further stressed that “Parents must understand that no individual can fast-track the placement process. Those who pay these fraudsters are paying for nothing, as all placements are managed strictly through the official GDE Online Admissions System.”
The statement added that “Criminals often take advantage of parents’ anxiety during this period, and we urge the public to remain vigilant. Any suspicious activity or individuals claiming to represent the Department should be reported immediately.”
MEDIA STATEMENT | GDE warns parents against fraudsters offering school placements, and provides an update and clarification on the #2026OnlineAdmissionsGP placement process. pic.twitter.com/9rsaX4hzPp
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) November 4, 2025
The placement process for the 2026 academic year began on 16 October 2025, when the GDE commenced sending out placement offers via SMS and through the Online Admissions System. The department affirmed that “Every applicant with a complete application will receive a placement offer; there are no technical delays.”
Parents whose applications remain under review were asked to be patient and wait for offers, while those who have already received an SMS indicating placement into Grade 1 or Grade 8 at a specific school were informed that the placement is accepted as final with no need to log into the system.
Offers are determined in the following priority order: home address within the school’s feeder zone, siblings or previous school at the same institution, parent’s work address within the feeder zone, home address within a 30 km radius, and home address beyond a 30 km radius. The statement emphasises that “Placement is also subject to school capacity and the availability of space in schools.”
Applicants who cannot be accommodated at any of their chosen schools will receive transfer offers to the next closest school with available space; parents may accept or decline such offers.
On the matter of contesting placement outcomes, the GDE said: to submit an objection, a parent must decline the placement offer and complete the electronic objection form online within 7 days. Objections are reviewed on merit, with outcomes communicated within 14 days.
Appeals may then be lodged within 7 days of the objection outcome and are finalised within 14–21 days. The statement clarifies that “no objection or appeal may be lodged when a placement offer is made at one of the schools originally applied to.”
Matome Chiloane, MEC for Gauteng Education, told parents: “The Department continues to work tirelessly to place all learners for the 2026 academic year. Parents and guardians are once again reminded to refrain from engaging with any individual who claims to offer placement assistance in exchange for money.”
He added: “All communication from the GDE regarding placement is officially sent to applicants via SMS and the Online Admissions System. Parents are urged to remain patient and vigilant as we finalise the placement of every learner.”
For any placement-related queries parents were directed to contact the GDE Contact Centre at 0800 000 789 or visit their nearest district office.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
