Cefups future yet to be decided

MBOMBELA – The future of the controversial private school, Cefups Academy, hangs in the balance and now lies in the hands of the Department of Education and the provincial executive council.

This school, which has been dominating media headlines for the past few weeks, following the death of a matric learner, Paballo Seane, which triggered public outcry and calls for the school to be closed, was given 30 days by the department to supply reasons why it shouldn’t be closed down.

According to Mr Jasper Zwane, the department’s spokesman, they received a response from the owner of the academy, Mr Simon Mkhatshwa on September 10.

“The department is studying the content of the response and will pronounce its decision once it has finalised all internal administration-related issues relating to this matter,” he said.

Even though Zwane didn’t want to commit himself or his department regarding time frames, he told Mpumalanga News that his department would fast-track the process and give this matter the attention it deserved. “This is a very sensitive matter which also needs legal opinion before taking a decision, but we are giving it top priority,” Zwane explained.

The academy was given until September 19 to give reasons why the department should not close it down following allegations of corporal punishment. There had in the past been similar allegations against this school, most of which never reached a court of law.

The death of Seane raised eyebrows and opened a real can of worms – there have been many concerned community groups calling for the school’s closure.

The ANC Youth League (Ancyl)has been vocal about it and has since marched there to hand over a petition. Recently, parents of former learners who were allegedly severely beaten at this school, tried to get permission to march to the school.

During the monthly cabinet briefing last week at the premier’s office, Mr Gillion Mashego, MEC, told journalists that the executive council has requested the MEC for education, Ms Reginah Mhaule to submit a detailed report on the corporal punishment allegations.

Although Seane’s post-mortem results have not yet been released, there are allegations that she might have been beaten before her death, shortly after her admission to Mediclinic Nelspruit.

Last week the provincial police spokesman, Brig Selvy Mohlala told this paper that no arrests had been made to date, because they were still waiting for formal forensic results from the Pretoria lab.

“These results will actually guide us on the steps to take, whether we need to make arrests or not. We have formally requested the lab to speed up the process,” he said.