EDUCATION MEC Mandla Makupula has announced that his department has fired 30 employees for various irregularities.
The dismissed employees formed part of a backlog of up to 282 cases dating back to 2011.
Makupula said that of the backlog, less than 24 cases were on appeal, while decisions on 54 others were pending.
The figures were contained in the budget speech which was delivered by Makupula at the Bhisho legislature this week.
The employees were axed for fraud and corruption, gross negligence of duty, absenteeism, sexual contact with pupils and alcohol abuse.
Actions taken in the remaining cases included demotions, final written warnings, counselling and fines, ranging from R3000 to R27000. Some officials lost almost a month’s salary.
The revelation came at the same time as the suspension of head of department Mthunywa Ngonzo was confirmed this week.
Attempts were made to obtain details from the department but a response had not been received at the time of going to print.
National Professional Teacher’s Organisation of South Africa provincial CEO Peter Duminy welcomed sanctions taken by the department.
“We are, however, concerned about the length of time taken to conclude these cases,” he said.
Duminy said he hoped that Ngonzo’s matter would be resolved speedily.
Sadtu provincial secretary Mncekeleli Ndongeni said it was possible that some of the teachers were dismissed without taking into account the merits of the case.
He cited cases where teachers were found to have sexual relations with pupils.
“We are aware of cases where children are used to lay charges against certain individuals just to remove them from positions.
“But, we can only support our members not defend them. We deal with the merits of cases,” he said.
He would not be drawn into commenting on Ngonzo’s suspension. “We have not received a formal report about it yet,” he said. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
Education MEC fires rotten apple employees
The dismissed employees formed part of a backlog of up to 282 cases dating back to 2011.
Makupula said that of the backlog, less than 24 cases were on appeal, while decisions on 54 others were pending.
The figures were contained in the budget speech which was delivered by Makupula at the Bhisho legislature this week.
The employees were axed for fraud and corruption, gross negligence of duty, absenteeism, sexual contact with pupils and alcohol abuse.
Actions taken in the remaining cases included demotions, final written warnings, counselling and fines, ranging from R3000 to R27000. Some officials lost almost a month’s salary.
The revelation came at the same time as the suspension of head of department Mthunywa Ngonzo was confirmed this week.
Attempts were made to obtain details from the department but a response had not been received at the time of going to print.
National Professional Teacher’s Organisation of South Africa provincial CEO Peter Duminy welcomed sanctions taken by the department.
“We are, however, concerned about the length of time taken to conclude these cases,” he said.
Duminy said he hoped that Ngonzo’s matter would be resolved speedily.
Sadtu provincial secretary Mncekeleli Ndongeni said it was possible that some of the teachers were dismissed without taking into account the merits of the case.
He cited cases where teachers were found to have sexual relations with pupils.
“We are aware of cases where children are used to lay charges against certain individuals just to remove them from positions.
“But, we can only support our members not defend them. We deal with the merits of cases,” he said.
He would not be drawn into commenting on Ngonzo’s suspension. “We have not received a formal report about it yet,” he said. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
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