MEC Mhaule dismisses an appeal
He was accorded an opportunity to present his case in front of a departmental disciplinary committee which found him guilty of inflicting corporal punishment, an act that was abolished in 1998, according to the prescripts enshrined in the South African School’s Act.
The MEC for Education, Ms Reginah Mhaule has dismissed the appeal by the principal of Manyano Primary School.
Mr K J Mseteka was found guilty and dismissed following an assault on a learner, Siphamandla Choma. Siphamandla died on March 19 at the Middelburg Hospital, where he had been admitted for treatment after the alleged assault.
Mseteka was charged with misconduct in terms of section 17 and 18 of the Employment of Educators Act No.76 of 1998, in that he was alleged to have committed an act of misconduct by administering corporal punishment to the learner as well as assaulting him with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Also read: Principal who assaulted pupil fired
He then appealed the findings with the office of the MEC who after a careful consideration of his appeal and evidence presented before her, came to the conclusion that the verdict and sanction of the chairperson of the disciplinary committee is appropriate.
“The South African School’s Act outlaws corporal punishment in schools and our educators know very well that there are consequences should you find yourself in the wrong side of the law,” said Mhaule.
