PDT employees allege maladministration

ONALENNA MODIKWA
Staff Writer | Friday August 12, 2011 00:00

In a letter (which this publication is in possession of) the workers allege gross maladministration of the institution that is threatening government takeover scheduled for August 24.

'We believe the Board of Trustees does not use the Trust's policy to operate and run the institution. Ever since the chairperson took office in February 2010, we have been consistent in our position to his style of leadership which seeks to polarise the institution,' reads the letter.

Employees also registered their grievances concerning endorsement of the staff representative to the Board and state that while staff members had elected their own representative, the Board chairperson refused to endorse him but instead appointed somebody else.

'He chose his own representative who is now a Board member who also happens to have more powers than management. The person in question is even the one who writes invitations to staff members for Board meetings and she no longer serves the interests of the staff but that of the Board.'The letter goes on to expresse concern over the alleged hand picked Chief Executive Office/Coordinator by the Board of Trustees. It says that the Board appointed the Coordinator without advertising the post at least internally.

'The Board chairperson announced the appointment of the coordinator and many questions were asked by staff members about the criteria that was used to appoint the coordinator.

We were told that whoever is worried must take legal action. We believe this response is full of pride because we must know about the misuse of Trust funds...'

The letter further states that union members and the general staff received written warnings for failing to attend a meeting by the Assistant Minister of Education and participating in a kgotla meeting on May 12.

 'As Palapye Development Trust staff we have a fear about the future of this institution particularly if the government does not absorb it. Our leader (Board) is not ready to hand over the school to government. We tried in vain to involve ourselves in the preparations for the takeover and we are not updated on the takeover,' reads the letter.

The petition comes a few months after the institution's coordinator was dismissed for alleged corruption. Meanwhile the district office has scheduled a meeting with the concerned parties next Monday.