The Eastern Cape Department of Education’s acting Head of Department, Mthunywa Ngonzo, accompanied by the department’s Strategic Leadership Management Committee, convened a high-spirited meeting yesterday, where he formally welcomed a number of officials who had been suspended, for periods ranging between 2 years or less.
The lifting of suspensions has been decided on after careful consideration of relevant legislation and sound legal advice from the state legal advisor. All pending disciplinary cases will continue, unless otherwise decided by the department.
In total, for the period 2011/12, there have been 54 officials on suspension, suspended on a range of allegations, with some already having had charges preferred against them, whilst others were not.
Out of the 54:
- 41 suspensions are lifted with immediate effect
- 8 remain in suspension (all the 8 continuing suspensions are for teachers accused of serious offences including rape, sexual assault, improper relations with learners, etc…) Some of these educator cases are also under review by SACE (South African Council of Educators)
- 5 cases have been finalised
The 41 lifted suspensions include:
- 8 Senior Management Service managers (1 Deputy Director-General, 2 Chief Directors, 5 directors; 2 of the Directors’ cases have since been finalised, they were found guilty and dismissed);
- 2 Chief Education Specialists,
- 13 Deputy Chief Education Specialists,
- 2 Senior Education Specialists, 5 Principals; and
- 16 other public service employees.
The department has brought in the Wellness Manager to ensure that necessarily issues of re-integration are dealt with in a properly constituted environment.
Enquiries:
Loyiso Pulumani
Cell: 083 275 0675
