Latest news with #MECforEducation
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- The Citizen
Escaped suspect linked to rapes at KZN school caught again
A 28-year-old man linked to multiple rapes at Bizimali High School was rearrested after escaping police custody. The man accused of raping pupils at Bizimali High School has been rearrested after fleeing police custody. Picture: Supplied The suspect linked to about five rape cases at Bizimali High School in KwaZulu-Natal was rearrested on Thursday after escaping police custody earlier this week. The 28-year-old man allegedly targeted about five pupils who live at the cottages of the school in Nkandla. Recently, pupils from the school reportedly staged a picket in the area, demanding the suspect's arrest. Bizimali High School rape suspect rearrested The police in Mariannhill arrested him on Monday morning, but the suspect escaped from police custody later in the day. KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli condemned the alleged rape incident and called for the immediate arrest of the suspect after he escaped. Ntuli urged the local community and the South African Police Service (Saps) to collaborate and share any information that would help find and capture the suspect. 'This shocking act has no place in our schools or in our society. We appeal to anyone with knowledge of the suspect's whereabouts to urgently contact the nearest police station,' the premier said in a statement on Monday. 'Silence protects perpetrators – we must all take a stand against violence.' ALSO READ: Man arrested for using fake Facebook profile to lure, kidnap, and rape women Premier Ntuli reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to protecting all citizens, especially women and children. He urged communities to report all instances of gender-based violence (GBV). The police launched a manhunt and the suspect was found at a hostel in Umbilo on Thursday morning. Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the suspect will appear in the Pinetown Magistrate's Court on Thursday. He faces a charge of escaping from lawful custody. Authorities will transfer him to Ekhombe, where he will face multiple rape charges. MEC visits school on Thursday On Thursday, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education Sipho Hlomuka visited Bizimali High School to offer support. 'The MEC is saddened by the uncanny series of events whereby learners of Bizimali allege to have been sexually assaulted by a community member,' the KwaZulu-Natal education department said. ALSO READ: Distraught mother calls for action after daughter (6) allegedly raped on KZN school premises The school principal, Philani Dumakude, the rapes unsettled the entire community surrounding Bizimali. Gugu Madlala, the chief director for social enrichment, said psychosocial assistance will be provided to Bizimali High School pupils by both the head office and the district office. 'We have our sister departments who we will partner with to provide psychological support to all our learners. The Department of Social Development and other private entities are all available to offer support to this school,' Madlala said. MEC for Education's Bizimali High School Visit WATCH | Chief Director for Social Enrichment, Ms. Gugu Madlala, outlined the Department's intervention programme into the incident of rape allegations at Bizimali High School. Venue: Bizimali High School Date: 22 May 2025 — KZN Education (@DBE_KZN) May 22, 2025 NOW READ: Man's appeal to overturn life sentence for raping his 7-year-old step-granddaughter denied
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Premier powerless to axe misfiring KZN MECs
KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli. Image: Supplied DESPITE calls for Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli to sack the under performing MECs for Health and Education in KwaZulu-Natal, his hands were said to be tied as any cabinet reshuffle would likely collapse the provincial power pact of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU). At the centre of the storm were Sipho Hlomuka, the MEC for Education, and Nomagugu Simelane-Mngadi, the MEC for Health, both senior ANC figures in KZN politics. Their departments account for the lion's share of the provincial budget, yet both have been rocked by controversy and dysfunction claims. Hlomuka has been under fire from teacher unions amid the crisis besetting his department, including the delayed payment of Grade R teachers and non-payment of service providers. This has sparked widespread condemnation of the Education MEC. UMphathiswa wezeMpilo KwaZulu-Natal uNksz Nomagugu Simelane, umnyango wakhe okweleta osomabhizinisi uR1.7 billion Image: SIGCINIWE Simelane-Mngadi who is at the helm of the ailing health department, has also been on receiving end of criticism from disgruntled service providers who were not paid. She revealed last week that her department owed them R1.7 billion. Hlomuka was the deputy provincial secretary while Simelane-Mngadi was deputy provincial chairperson for thw ANC in KZN, before the provincial structure was reconfigured in February following poor showing during the last year's national elections. MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal Sipho Hlomuka. Image: Tumi Pakkies Independent Newspapers Ntuli, in his capacity as premier, has the powers to appoint and remove members of the provincial executive council. He is also the IFP provincial chairperson, and assembled his cabinet in June last year, following his election as premier of the province. Despite the pressure, insiders said Ntuli cannot act unilaterally. The GPU, an alliance between the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), and the National Freedom Party (NFP), was formed to govern the province after no party secured an outright majority in the last election. Any reshuffle would require consensus from all coalition partners. This was part of the power-sharing deal agreed to by the said parties. National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union's (Nehawu) provincial secretary Ayanda Zulu said: "We are not happy with a lot of things that are happening in the department of health as Nehawu. We had a meeting with the MEC and raised the matters that concern us as the union." Zulu said some of their concerns included the plight of workers amid the ongoing crisis in the department of health. "Our biggest concern is the workers and people of the province who continue to receive bad service from the department of health," said Zulu. A source in the provincial government said Ntuli's hands were tied and argued that any reshuffle without the agreement with GPU partners would" backfire spectacularly". "The reality is that the premier is not happy with the performance of some of his MECs. But if he just replaced them. That would backfire spectacularly for him and this could even collapse the provincial government," said the source. The provincial secretary for the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) said:" The problems in the education department in KZN are as a result of austerity measures (budget cuts ) and the cost cutting measures imposed by the Provincial Treasury and the Office of the Premier." A Grade R teacher in KZN, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said:" The MEC is clearly failing. I think it's time the province gets a new MEC, maybe they will deliver. But again, the turnaround of the provincial department will not be an overnight thing because of the many crises the department is facing," said the teacher. Another teachers' union, the National Teachers Union (NATU) have also previously called for accountability, and demanded Premier Ntuli to wield the axe over Hlomuka. Attempts by Daily News to obtain responses from the offices of Premier Ntuli, MEC Hlomuka, and MEC Simelane-Mngadi were unsuccessful, as their spokespersons failed to respond to inquiries. DAILY NEWS
