KARABO NTANZI
The Northern Cape Education Department has confirmed placing its a Chief Director, who is facing criminal charges at the Kimberley Magistrate Court, on a precautionary suspension.
His suspension comes after members of women’s organisation, Women Waging War Against GBVF and other community members burnt tyres outside the education department’s offices demanding he be removed following allegations of sexual assault and rape against him by two female officials.
The organisation with other women formation, marched to the department’s offices last week and handed a memorandum of grievances to the MEC of Education Zolile Monakali.
The memorandum called for the removal of all officials involved in allegations of sexual misconduct against female officials and learners. This included Girls High former principal who is accused of molesting former learnes. He is now working at another school.
Northern Cape Department Spokesperson Geoffrey Van Der Merwe says the Chief Directore is on precautionary suspension pending internal disciplinary hearing. During the march, MEC Monakali promised that action will be taken only if there is sufficient evidence against the officials.
Van Der Merwe said they view allegations of misconduct in a serious light.
“The MEC for Education, Zolile Monakali received a Memorandum from a community based organisation, Women Waging War against Gender Based Violence on allegations of sexual harassment cases at the Northern Cape Department of Education. These allegations affect certain individuals in the department, with some cases concluded and others in progress. The Department is busy drafting a report on all the matters raised in the Memorandum. The MEC assured the Women Waging War group that a comprehensive report will be provided on these matters as we view the allegations as very serious. In the meantime, the Department has decided to place a Chief Director on precautionary suspension until internal disciplinary hearing is concluded,” Van Der Merwe said.
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