The Gauteng Department of Education is in hot water for allegedly stealing a concept from a Johannesburg-based IT company, Huntlia Technology.
The company is accusing the department of using the online application system which is their concept, without crediting them. In April this year, the department launched the system which allowed parents to apply for the 2017 academic year without having to go to schools.
Spokesperson of the department, Oupa Bodibe confirmed that the department had received Notice of Motion from the magistrate court matter between the Gauteng Department of Education and Huntlia Technology.
“We have noted with concern the accusation leveled against the department by Huntlia Technology claiming the department is using their online system concept without crediting them,” said Bodibe.
He added that the department was not at liberty to divulge any further information regarding the summons at this point as the matter was sub judice. “The department will wait for a court ruling on the matter before taking further action.”
According to EWN, businesswoman Melissa Laing of Huntlia Technology said she first presented the idea to the Gauteng Department of Education in 2012 while she was trying to find a school for her son. Laing told EWN that the IT director at the department of education had said it was a stupid idea and that they would never use it in the department. Laing said she was shocked when she saw Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi launching the online system this year.
She told EWN that the department’s system was exactly the same as the one she had presented.
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