Education officers threaten court action

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Friday May 21, 2010 00:00

One has already approached lawyers, Monthe Marumo Attorneys. He was recalled 'to resume work as normal' without any explanation for their interdiction.

They were interdicted for alleged misconduct amid allegations of mismanagement, corruption and other matters which the education Minister, Pelonomi Venson reported to Parliament.

'If nothing was found, why were we not cleared of wrongdoing or apologies tendered instead of just being told to report back for duty by the director?' he asked.

He further stated the permanent secretary (PS), Ruth Maphorisa, who gave them interdiction letters did not explain why they were called back to work.

Some went to enquire from the PS about this and the director promised to report their wish.

'Instead, within a few minutes, she came back with redeployment letters. Clearly these had long been written as 24 letters could not have been written within a few minutes,' he said.

He said now they have a bad reputation in the eyes of the future employers and their colleagues. 'Some of us now have been diverted from our career paths,' he said, adding that the correct procedure was not followed according to the Public Service Act.

He said, normally a person who is being investigated is transferred to continue working while investigations are still ongoing instead of being interdicted as if they have been found guilty of an offence.

Dutch Leburu of Monthe Marumo and Company admitted that the officers have instructed them and they are looking into the issue, which they will soon lodge with the High Court.