School Governing Body Associations (SGB) have committed to assist the task team investigating the alleged sale of posts in the education sector.
The Acting Director-General, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, met with SGB representatives on Tuesday, 20 May 2014, as part of a consultative process. The SGB associations that attended the meeting are: the Federation of Association of Governing Bodies (FEDSAS), Governors’ Alliance (GA), the National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB), the United front for School Governing Bodies (UF4SGBs) and the South African National Association for Special Education (SANASE). An apology was received from the National Congress of School Governing Body (NCSGB).
The purpose of the meeting was to outline plans regarding the investigation. Lesufi reiterated the Minister's sentiment that the practice of selling posts was of cause for concern as it was a form of corruption and against the law.
Media reports have emerged alleging collusion between certain education officials and stakeholders including certain individuals in the selling of posts.
Minister Angie Motshekga met with unions on 16 May 2014 to outline her plans of setting up a Ministerial Task Team to investigate the allegations.
Teacher Unions and School Governing Body Associations have agreed to co-operate with the investigation to root out the alleged practice and take strong action against those found to be involved.
The Task Team will be an independent body and would be constituted by the Public Service Commission, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the Department of Basic Education as well as external independent education experts, human resources and legal experts. The names of the members of the investigating team will be announced once the terms of reference have been finalised.
Representatives of the School Governing Body Associations complimented Minister Motshekga and her Department on this speedy initiative to ensure the integrity of the education profession and the quality of the education sector in general.
Anybody who wants to report any incidents of selling of posts will be expected to provide information to the investigators.
The terms of reference for the Task Team will be finalised through due legal processes. It is envisaged that the Task Team will be led by a retired judge or an independent education expert.
Enquiries:
Elijah Mhlanga
Cell: 083 580 8275
Troy Martens
Cell: 079 899 3070
