Manzini Primary principal chased away as protest continues

Teaching and learning were disrupted at Manzini Primary School (MPS) when frustrated parents continued their demonstrations.

It has not been business as usual for teachers and children at MPS since the schools reopened for the second term on April 12.

A group of parents and community members prevented the principal, Zola Macu, from entering the school premises, but teachers and learners were allowed inside. And on April 13, the school was completely closed.

This came after the group said they no longer want Macu and the current School Governing Body (SGB) after allegations of the mismanagement of school funds.

The affected community members submitted a petition to the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), which was not responded to.

On March 16, a week before the schools broke up, the group embarked on a peaceful picket, calling for the department to do a forensic investigation into the school’s finances.

Mkhonto Madontsela, a father of two children in Grades R and Three, said the GDE never gave them a proper report, but only told them that a forensic investigation would take place.

He said they need it in writing with details like the time and date when the investigation team would start working.

“Once they start investigating, we do not want to see the principal (Macu) and the SGB because we have lost confidence in them,” said Madontsela.

He explained that when the parents confronted the principal, he asked if they had bathed and why they were dirty.

“What kind of insults are those? It shows that he does not have the best interests to work with parents and the school,” noted Madontsela.

“That is why we took a final decision that we would not tolerate the principal until the district brings us a principal with the best interests to uplift this school for our children to have bright futures.

“We decided to close the school because we want answers from the district and the SGB. Right now, they are installing a fence, but I heard it will not cover the entire school. A space of about 720m will be left out because the district does not have enough budget,” he continued.

“We are left with question marks. We do not know who is supposed to address us. This is hurting us as parents. We do not want to see Macu in this school because he continues to provoke parents.”

A mother of two learners in Grade Four, Mamello Tseeke, said they were not worried about the learners losing time for lessons, as long the principal still heads the school.

“He promised us that when the schools reopen, they would bring a schooler transport bus for the learners, but the bus is not here.

“They asked why we are complaining because they installed a fence, and we were not only concerned about that. We raised concerns about a lack of chairs and clean toilets. The learners are still sharing chairs,” Tseeke.

She said they would continue to protest until the district confirmed that the principal and SGB would leave the school.

“He has been heading the school for nine years, but what has he done? Other schools built after Manzini, which was built in 2002, are in good condition.

“What annoys us most is that the learners who leave this school are not easily accepted by other schools because they cannot read,” she concluded.

Another parent, Katleho Molokome, also a community leader, noted that they twice went to the district to submit the petition, and they could see that the department is responding to some things, like the fence.

“But our core demand is that we are unhappy with the principal – he has to go. They are bribing us with the fence and a schooler transport bus,” said Molokome.

“When they realised we were meeting with the district and that auditors must come and audit the school’s finances, we heard the school’s finance files were stolen two days later.”

He said the parents suspected foul play regarding the theft of files and equipment at the school.

“The evidence that could have confirmed the allegations we raised was stolen and now they are saying the information has been lost.”

He said community leaders Senzi Ndzombane, Madontsela and himself, were confronted by a member of Thatha-Zonke, who accused them of the school burglary on the morning of March 24.

“We think the SGB and principal are responsible for removing the information. We contacted the principal and told him that if he believes we committed the crime, he should call the police. We are still waiting for the police.”

He said Macu was chased away by the parents at the two schools he previously led, including Abram Hlophe Primary School and another school in Zonkizizwe, because he destroyed everything.

Tseeke said after the burglary at school, the SGB did not call a meeting because it does not exist. It is not the first time they failed to call a meeting to inform the community about the affairs of the school.

“To date, we are still blank. We are not sure what is happening, but we are certain there was a burglary because we came to the school and witnessed the damage. However, when we engaged the principal, he was not interested in communicating with parents.”

The GDE spokesperson, Steve Mabona, told Kathorus MAIL they are aware of the burglary, and a case was opened with the police.

He said the school’s financial records for 2022 are available and investigations are ongoing.

The media liaison of the Zonkizizwe SAPS, Sergeant Rufus Tema, confirmed that the case is open.

Police are still investigating and no arrests have been made.

“We appeal to the community members to consult the station for any information that could help in the arrest of the suspects.”