Latest news with #EducationLabourRelationsCouncil
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
ELRC to physically verify all educators and pupils amid ghost worker allegations
National checks by the ELRC aim to verify educators and pupils, addressing alleged payroll fraud and the selling of posts. The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) will conduct the physical verification of educators and pupils in schools across the country to address allegations about ghost workers in the education sector. Teachers unions, the Department of Basic Education, and the nine provincial Departments of Education have tasked the ELRC with urgently commissioning national projects, the organisation said on Friday. The projects include the physical verification of educators and pupils in an attempt to address claims of ghost workers. The ELRC will also embark on a forensic investigation to address allegations of the selling of posts. Ghost worker and selling posts allegations The allegations of ghost workers in the Mpumalanga Department of Education were raised by Parliament's Public Service and Administration Committee's chairperson, Jan de Villiers, in May. In 2024, the Auditor-General discovered that the provincial department paid R6.4 million in salaries to ghost workers. ALSO READ: Two Bethlehem residents arrested for ghost worker fraud 'Real people are drawing fraudulent salaries, and real taxpayer money is being syphoned into private pockets under the guise of legitimate employment,' de Villiers said in a media briefing. The chairperson said that according to the Department of Public Service and Administration, at least three internal officials must conspire to add a ghost worker to the public payroll system. 'This means we are dealing not with random lapses in judgment but with embedded criminal syndicates operating in our public institutions,' de Villiers said. Mpumalanga refutes claims of R6.5m salaries to ghost workers The Mpumalanga Provincial Government, however, refuted the allegations, claiming that the R6.5 million had been incorrectly reported as salaries paid to ghost workers. The premier's office said previous investigations, including a 2023 physical verification by the provincial Treasury, found no evidence of ghost employees. ALSO READ: Ghost workers suspected in Saps as seven senior officials face corruption charges The provincial government acknowledged isolated 'late termination' cases but said measures are in place to strengthen payroll integrity. Late terminations are cases where an employee passes away shortly after a salary run has been processed. 'To ensure that the record is corrected and constructive engagement continues, the Department has resolved to write formally to the Portfolio Committee on Education, where the allegations emanated from, to clarify this matter and seek further guidance,' the premier's office said on 11 June. The ELRC said it will roll out physical verification and forensic investigation projects across all nine provinces. The expected completion date for the verification of educators and pupils is the end of October 2025, given the urgency and national importance of the process. 'These two major initiatives mark a significant step towards restoring the integrity of the sector and eradicating alleged corruption in the education system,' the ELRC said. NOW READ: Ghost workers drain billions from public funds
Eyewitness News
02-07-2025
- Eyewitness News
Hoërskool Waterkloof parents want principal reinstated despite serious allegations against him
PRETORIA - The principal of Hoërskool Waterkloof in Pretoria is at the centre of a heated stand-off as parents call for his reinstatement while serious allegations continue to loom over him. Chris Denysschen was temporarily removed from his post last year and is currently the subject of an ongoing disciplinary process managed by the Education Labour Relations Council. The Gauteng Education Department said the action taken against him followed claims of improper conduct, but supporters of the principal argued that the matter was being dragged out unfairly, without any formal finding. Denysschen was last week transferred to the Tshwane South district office after fresh concerns were raised about possible interference with witnesses. While details remain limited due to the sensitive nature of the complaints, which allegedly involve minors, legal representatives confirmed that legislation such as the Children's Act and Sexual Offences Act had been referenced during the hearing, as part of the broader arbitration process. To date, no formal criminal charges have been brought, and the principal, through his legal team, has denied any wrongdoing. The department has described the allegations as serious, but the closed hearing has been delayed multiple times, with no timeline for a final outcome. In the meantime, over 1,400 parents have rallied behind Denysschen in a WhatsApp group, praising his contributions to the school and demanding his return. On Wednesday, the complainants' lawyer held a media briefing, criticising what they called an unclear and unfair process. "It might be that we are not happy with the proceedings that's happening now and how it is carrying on. But we have to give this thing a chance to be ventilated during the arbitration and seeing where it goes from there." Meanwhile, parents in support of the principal pointed to Waterkloof's academic success under his leadership, including last year's matric results, which saw the school earn the most distinctions of any public school in the country.
TimesLIVE
01-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
Teacher who had inappropriate relationship with 15-year-old pupil triggering HIV scare loses bid to keep job
A Northern Cape teacher who was dismissed for having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 15-year-old pupil has failed in a bid to save her R18,000 a month job. The teacher, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the pupil, took the provincial education department to the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC), contending she 'did not breach any rule as alleged by the employer'. The arbitrator heard the grade 9 pupil had to undergo an HIV test and take Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), medication given to individuals at high risk of contracting the virus to prevent infection. The teacher, who taught at a high school, faced two counts. She was accused of dishonesty when interviewed by a labour relations manager about allegations she had been involved in a sexual relationship with the minor. The teacher was charged with contravention of the Employment of Educators Act for allegedly committing statutory rape. She argued the rule she allegedly breached was not consistently applied and she was not 'given a hearing on the alleged misconduct'. She had been teaching at the school since January 2017, earning R18,095 per month as a post-level 1 educator. The teacher was dismissed on November 11 last year after a two-day hearing held in her absence in October. The ELRC arbitrator heard the teacher 'was not present at the hearing and it is common cause she made no attempt to apply for postponement'. She approached the ELRC for 'retrospective reinstatement'.
The Herald
27-06-2025
- The Herald
Hoërskool Waterkloof principal moved to district office after interference complaint
The Gauteng department of education on Thursday precautionarily transferred the principal of Hoërskool Waterkloof, Chris Denysschen, following complaints of alleged interference with witnesses at the school. Allegations of improper conduct were levelled against Denysschen last year and the department refused to disclose full details due to the sensitivity of the matter and the fact that the disciplinary hearing was still pending. He was initially placed on precautionary transfer to the district office in September last year, but this was lifted on December 12, and he returned to school. On Thursday, the department said the principal will from Friday report to the Tshwane South district office. 'He will remain there until the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings, which are being managed independently by the Education Labour Relations Council, the statutory body responsible for overseeing such hearings,' Gauteng education department spokesperson Steve Mabona said. TimesLIVE
IOL News
08-06-2025
- IOL News
KZN crime statistics highlight loopholes for sexual offenders in accessing society's most vulnerable
Recent high-profile sexual offence cases in KZN include a 12-year-old Reservoir Hills pupil being sexually groomed by a teacher and a six-year-old Esikhaleni pupil who was allegedly raped while at school. THE recent revelation - as part of the fourth quarter SAPS crime statistics - that KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) had the highest number of rape cases within educational facilities demands urgent and focused attention. This amid reports of a growing number of sexual offences against children and following the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) 2024/2025 report expose that a staggering 39 educators in South Africa were convicted of such crimes against learners while at school. Recent high-profile sexual offence cases in KZN include a 12-year-old Reservoir Hills pupil being sexually groomed by a teacher and a six-year-old Esikhaleni pupil who was allegedly raped while at school. The horror of the situation is highlighted by a recent post by Jess Foord, of the Jess Foord Foundation, who stated that 'a South African girl has more chance of being raped than learning to read'. This is the sad reality of sexual offences against children in KZN. The crime statistics – for the period January 1 to March 31 - further revealed that 80 cases of rape were reported in South Africa, with KZN making up 48 of these. This figure forms part of a total of 2 127 reported cases of sexual offences in KZN during the same three months – a number that is increasing each quarter. The statistics also revealed that the Inanda SAPS had the second highest number of reported sexual assault cases in South Africa, with a 6.4% increase in the number of cases compared to the previous quarter. This while Empangeni SAPS recorded the third highest number of rape cases country-wide, with an alarming 32.8% increase from the previous quarter. It is clear that this growing epidemic – whether within our schools, at work, our homes or our neighbourhoods - is not being properly addressed. Compounding the situation is the inability of SAPS in KZN to ensure proper law enforcement when it comes to sexual offenders. This has led to many victims withdrawing charges and numerous cases being thrown out of court due to insufficient evidence for prosecution. Sexual offences, particularly those against children, also often cause various health issues, in particular mental health issues. This is amplified by little support or protection for victims who come forward to report such cases and who often still have to face their perpetrators on a daily basis. While South Africa's sex offender register is currently unavailable to the public, government, businesses and education institutions are able to access it to vet staff before they are employed. It is imperative that this takes place. Our schools, universities, NPOs, NGOs and those government institutions and businesses that work with vulnerable members of society must vet staff to ensure that they are not exposed to sex offenders. There is however a gap in the system. The sex offenders register only lists those convicted and not those accused or reported for sexual offences. This leaves the door wide open for offenders to access spaces where they can commit further sexual offences against vulnerable populations. This must change. It is clear that in order to be effective, the sex offenders register must become publicly available. It must also include a list for repeat offenders, whether criminally charged or not and a list of those who stand accused – which is not available to the general public – and whose names are then added to the public list in the event that they are found guilty. As part of the KZN's Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA will approach its national counterparts, within both the social development and education sectors, in a bid to lobby for a change in legislation to ensure this takes place. We have long advocated for a whole-of-society approach to deal with South Africa's horrific rape statistics. In KZN, this approach demands that the departments of Health, Education and Social Development work together with NGOs/NPOs, community organisations, businesses, religious institutions, schools, sports clubs and other community groups to educate young people about rape, its effects on society and its consequences. A whole-of-society approach also demands that parents, teachers, neighbours, coaches, youth leaders, religious leaders and businesses partner together to ensure that both adults and children are properly educated and to ensure that appropriate sexual behaviour is maintained in society. This will also assist in reducing KZN's high teenage pregnancy rate and the ongoing and disturbing issue of the abandonment of unwanted babies. Government departments also need to initiate programmes to assist and support those individuals who commit family and sexual violence. Unless this is done, the cycle of violence will perpetuate. Further programmes must also include guidance for parents to help promote better relationships between parents and teenagers, with an accessible link between families and social services to prevent and treat family violence. All forms of sexual misconduct, no matter how minor they be perceived, must be reported and dealt with effectively. Healthcare workers and parents must immediately report any sexual abuse to SAPS – which must ensure that its officers are effectively trained to attend to rape cases with the required sensitivity. As a member of KZN's GPU, we remain committed to working towards a society that takes a firm stand against rape and sexual misconduct. Failure to do so will only see this scourge worsening over time.
