KZN teachers 'forced to wear MK Party regalia' by senior staff member

A senior staff member at Shakaskraal Primary School in KwaZulu-Natal is in hot water after he allegedly intimidated teachers, ordering them to wear MK Party regalia at school or face termination.

The staff member is now being investigated by the department of education.

KZN education MEC Sipho Hlomuka has commissioned an investigation after allegations that the staff member was intimidating teachers.

“MEC Hlomuka has instructed the department to investigate incidents of coercion and intimidation of educators by a senior staff member at Shakaskraal Primary School,” said provincial education department spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi.

Mahlambi said it is alleged that the senior staffer is using the school infrastructure as a base for his political activities.

“He is also said to have instructed teachers and learners to wear political party regalia or face termination. This is alleged to happen on school premises when teachers and learners are meant to be in class,” he said.

Mahlambi said should these allegations be true, this would constitute unethical and unprofessional behaviour and was a dismissible offence.

He said the MEC has received and noted the grievance and he asked that the department be given space to fully investigate these allegations. Mahlambi said Hlomuka will visit the school on Friday as part of his responsibility to ensure that teaching and learning continue free from undue political interference.

Recently a video went viral in which MK Party members were seen at the school singing struggle songs. Some of the pupils were also seen singing together with MK Party members. Political activities at schools are prohibited by law.

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