As the Principle, of Westville Senior Primary School returned to work after facing a probe into claims of sexual harassment and financial misconduct lodged in 2022, a group of concerned parents of students demanded feedback. This was during a protest outside the school last week. Teachers’ Union NAPTOSA says it is still waiting for clarity.
KZN Education says it carried out two independent investigations, and that the principal only resumed duty after the completion of the review process. The department says it remains open to re-evaluating the case and urged anyone with credible information to come forward. The DA’s education spokesperson in KZN, Sihle Mngadi, feels there were gaps. “Parents, educators and learners are still waiting for answers. Despite promises of an investigation, no findings have been shared. “We are demanding that [KZN Education] MEC Sipho Hlomuka reopen the investigation, this time independently, transparently, and with clear timelines.”
An independent and transparent investigation is indeed needed into the conduct of this principle. The truth needs to be told, the evidence examined and responsibilities carried out. Everyone (teachers, parents, students) needs to be told what actually happen as to what this principle did. Did he abuse his authority as head of the school? Should charges be laid against him? What would a full independent and transparent probe mean for the conduct of public schools in the future? Especially in Durban and eThekwini region? It will set a precedent for the future in the province. Misconduct and abuse of power by authorities is not acceptable.
Meanwhile in Merebank, various individuals are calling for the city to transform a nearby abandoned SANDF military base into a recreational centre. The base is currently occupied by vagrants from Lamontville.
When the Daily News visited the site on Tuesday and Wednesday, several old military vehicles, which appeared to be no longer in use, were seen parked on the premises. The base was largely deserted by the military but now occupied by various individuals, many of whom were believed to be from Lamontville, a short distance away. Mike Moodley, a long-time resident of the area, expressed his deep concern about the state of the base and its possible impact on the community. “This is wrong because we are going to see more crime from people moving into the neighborhood. At the very least, the government should consider turning this space into a recreational facility for the community,” he said.
Moodley urged fellow residents to come together and demand action. “We reached out to the Daily News because we are genuinely worried about what’s happening. We hope this will help push authorities to take the matter seriously and find a proper solution,” he added.
The matter of the military base being transformed into a recreational facility for the community should be considered by the necessary authorities. Who is now in charge of the vacant base since the South African National Defence Forces (SANDF) withdrew from it? Is it the eThekwini Municipality or the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial government? The risk of a rise in crime due to the base’s occupancy by vagrants should raise concerns. The municipality and the province need to address the situation of the homeless and the vagrancies across KwaZulu-Natal and its respective regions. Coming back to the matter of Merebank’s abandoned SANDF base, the municipality should take seriously the idea of transforming it into a recreational centre for the Merebank community.
It will help to improve the desirability and attractiveness of the community and resolve a chaotic situation. The SANDF needs to have a solution in place as to what happens to their old bases when they are no longer in use by the army, air force or navy. The situation of the principle at Westville Senior Primary School remains a cause for concern. Such misconduct should have no place in schools going forward into the future.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
