KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education
5 April 2007
The media statement "Education Department mum over murdered teachers" issued
by the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) on 4 April 2007 has necessitated me to set
the record straight and to ensure that the public know the true facts. It is
not true that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education "has consistently
ignored the tragedy and its impact on the Hlokohloko Primary and the Jozini
community" and that the "department never reacted when the teachers were first
reported missing, nor did any of its representatives attend the victims'
funeral" � as alleged by the IFP.
The facts speak for themselves:
1. The circuit manager was informed by a union on Saturday, 17 March 2007,
that Ms Mthenjana and Ms Ntuli were missing.
2. Ms PN Mbatha and Ms N Ntshangase of the District Service Delivery Support
Services accompanied the Mthenjana family on 18 March 2007 to assist them with
counselling whenever need arises.
3. On Monday, 19 March 2007 the circuit manager visited the school at 07h30 to
get a report from the principal. However, the principal was not at school but
met the district manager at the district office where he was requested to
prepare a report.
4. A media statement was sent on that same day, 19 March 2007 to the South
African Press Association (SAPA), expressing concern about the disappearance of
the educators, after MEC Ina Cronje alerted her counterpart in Safety and
Security, MEC Bheki Cele about the missing teachers. All mainstream media
subscribe to SAPA.
5. On 20 March the ward manager accompanied the district manager to the
educators' families, while the circuit manager accompanied the MEC to
Hlokohloko Primary.
6. On 22 March 2007 the ward manager, circuit manager and district manager
visited Jozini Police Station to get more information on the incident. They
were then informed that four people, including the principal had been
arrested.
7. On 22 March 2007 education officials Ms Mbatha and M Ntshangase were tasked
to break the news to the families regarding their deaths. A short counselling
session took place.
8. On 22 March 2007 both Ms Mbatha and M Ntshangase joined the people to the
Mtiwe bush where the identification of the deceased was done.
9. On 23 March 2007 a situation analysis for counselling intervention was done
by the psychological services component of the Department. Educators were also
assisted with preparations for the Memorial Service.
10. On 23 March 2007 the circuit manager visited the school in the morning and
made some preparations for the Memorial Service. The district manager tasked
the administration section to fast track procurement for a big tent that could
accommodate about 2 000 people. The Department also organised mobile toilets
and meals for families and guests. The ward manager visited Ms Ntuli's family
while the district manager visited Ms Mthenjana's family.
11. On 25 March 2007 Deputy Director General Dr Simon Mbokazi visited the Ntuli
family at the request of the MEC and myself to express words of sympathy.
12. On 26 March 2007 district officials, circuit staff and education centre
managers attended the memorial service at Hlokohloko Primary where the General
Manager for the Northern Cluster represented the Department of Education. The
Department's Crisis Management and Intervention team offered valuable
assistance and some members of both families were transported by departmental
officials.
13. On 27 March 2007 the District Director, circuit manager, ward manager and
Employee Relations officer visited the school to ensure school functionality.
The two remaining Heads of Department (HODs) were placed as acting principal
and acting deputy principal.
14. Group counselling for educators, school governing body member, security
guard and administration clerk was conducted.
15. The families were also accompanied by the Department (Ms Mbatha) to the
Mtuba (South African Police Service) SAPS Mortuary for Counselling, while the
Ntuli family was brought to Mtuba by the District Office driver.
16. The post-mortem at the mortuary could not be completed the previous day �
therefore the district driver again fetched the Ntuli family on 28 March 2007.
The families were again counselled by Ms Mbatha and a member of the Mortuary
staff before they could identify the deceased for transfer to the funeral
undertaker.
17. An education official, Ms M Ntshangase attended funeral planning meetings
with the Mthenjana family from 27 to 31 March 2007.
18. On 29 March 2007 the Ntuli family was assisted with transport for shopping
and for collecting outstanding items in preparation for the funeral the
following day. Ms Mbatha also attended the evening service at Nseleni. A
personal message was sent by MEC Cronje to both families.
19. On 30 March 2007 both families were assisted with transport to the funeral
service of the late Ms Ntuli. District, circuit and education centre staff
members attended the funeral service.
20. On 31 March 2007 the Mthenjana family was assisted in preparation for the
funeral the following day by education officials Mbatha and Ntshangase.
21. On 1 April 2007 senior general manager Dr Simon Mbokazi, district director
and staff from the circuits and district attended the funeral of Ms Mthenjana
at Nongoma. Again this funeral was heavily politicised and once again there was
heavy criticism of the Department to the extent that even Dr Mbokazi was not
allowed to address the mourners on behalf of the Department. Earlier the
district manager was removed from the programme. When the daughter of the late
Ms Mthenjana could not cope at the grave, she was rushed to hospital by
education official Ms Mbatha.
22. On 2 April 2007 education official Ms Ntshangase accompanied the Mthenjana
family to the court in Empangeni.
23. Counselling for learners and educators that have not received counselling
yet will start when schools re-open. Education official Ms Mbatha is also
assisting a foster child of the late Ms Mthenjana to be transferred to his new
foster mother, as well as with the transfer to the new school.
24. The Department has also arranged with social workers nearer to the families
to conduct therapeutic sessions until the families come to terms with the loss
they have suffered.
We appeal to all concerned to show maturity during this difficult period and
to concentrate their efforts on assisting the families to cope with their loss
and let the police do their work to bring the perpetrators of this ghastly act
to book. We appeal to all parties to desist from aggravating an extremely
explosive situation by trying to sow seeds of violence between the teacher
unions in the province.
Enquiries:
Christi Naude
Director: Media and Citizen Liaison (Acting)
Tel: (033) 3552453
Fax: (033) 3420275
Cell: 083 262 8829
E-mail: christin@kznedu.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
5 April 2007
