Department’s top brass threatened during meeting
According to an informed source, the sole purpose of the meeting was to encourage parents to make sure they register their children at any school of their choice.
KANYAMAZANE – Drama unfolded at what was scheduled to be a meeting between parents of Cefups Academy and delegates of the Department of Education on Sunday.
The meeting was planned to give the latest updates as far as the registration processes of learners to new schools for next year is concerned following the recent announcement of the school’s closing by the department.
According to eyewitnesses, the meeting came to an abrupt end when a group forcefully entered the hall and hijacked the agenda.
Ehlanzeni’s district director, Mr Mfana Lushaba was allegedly intimidated and threatened by some members of the group who even said they would cut off his arm.
“They were so disrespectful of the director and showed disrespect to persons living with disabilities as they made fun of Lushaba for having only one arm,” said the source who wanted to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation.
It is alleged that the group arrived in about six Quantums, invaded the meeting and tore up the agendas and attendance register.
“They were smelling of liquor and caused chaos. One may even suspect that they might be employees and even learners of the school,” added another source.
“From the look of things, it was obvious that they were transported on purpose to disrupt the meeting,” he added.
According to an informed source, who cannot be mentioned because he is not the spokesperson for the department, the sole purpose of the meeting was to encourage parents to make sure they register their children at any school of their choice.
“We want parents to identify other schools of their own choice and register their kids and where they face difficulties, we will assist as a department,” he said.
KaNyamazane police’s spokesperson, W/O Andries Skwambane, confirmed the incident and added that a case of assault had been opened.
“Lushaba reported the matter to the police and a case of assault had been opened. He told police he could identify the suspect.
No arrest had been made at the moment and police investigations continue,” he said.
Some parents on the other hand, say they still support Cefups and want the department to reconsider its decision of closing the school.
“We were not consulted as parents, yet we are the ones who took our kids to the school because we want the best for them,” one of them said.
The education department decided to withdraw the registration of Cefups Academy as from January 1 next year following allegations of corporal punishment which led to the death of a
grade 12 learner, Paballo Seane on July 31.
The MEC for education, Ms Reginah Mhaule recently dismissed the appeal from the owner of Cefups Academy.
“This means that the decision of the Mpumalanga Department of Education to withdraw the registration of Cefups Academy as from January 1, 2015 stands,” said the spokesperson for education, Mr Jasper Zwane.
“The investigation report remains an internal document of the department until such time that a decision to release it is made,” he added.
