Picketing continues at circuit office in Standerton
A letter giving Sadtu-members an ultimatum to return to schools was received on Wednesday, 5 May.
Protests of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) at the circuit office of the Department of Education have not been laid to rest.
The union wants the circuit manager, Ms Yasmeen Mahomed, to leave and alleged she plays the race card, as well as the gender card.
The division between Lekwa East and Lekwa West is a bone of contention,
Their modus operandi is a piercing whistle-blowing before the picketing, but it was reinforced later by music.
The Monday-protest of 17 May was introduced by the arrival of quite a number and cars and hooters going full-out.Parking in Burger Street is near impossible.
At a picketing on 6 May, Sadtu’s deputy chairman in the province, Mr Charles Masilela said the struggle continues.
According to Mr Masilela, it is not a strike, but picketing.
He addressed the group and said teachers arrive at the different schools, sign the register before leaving for Burger Street.
The general consensus is that teachers are at work till 10am weekdays.
A call was made to unite and not undermine the structures of the union.
“We need to avoid fighting in isolation.”
A letter giving Sadtu-members an ultimatum to return to schools, was received on 5 May.
The Standerton Advertiser previously published the views of the provincial spokesman of the department, Mr Jasper Zwane.
Mr Zwane said the Gert Sibande District is engaging with all parties to ensure an amicable resolve on the issue.
“We are hoping that those involved will soon find one another.”
A WhatsApp-message was sent to Mr Zwane on 6 May, asking for the department’s input.
No sign of any picketing was seen since Wednesday, 19 May.
