30 October 2024
SADTU KZN WELCOMES THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE COURT CASE AGAINST COMRADE MAKHANYA T.F OF ZAKHELE PRIMARY SCHOOL
SADTU KZN welcomes the withdrawal of the court case against Comrade T.F Makhanya the Principal of Zakhele Primary School. The case was withdrawn on the 25th of October in the Pinetown Magistrates Court.
It has always been our view that there was foul play against Comrade Makhanya after a series of sittings with the prosecution failing to present any evidence to prove allegations that there was no case from the beginning.
SADTU calls on the department to priorities dealing with tensions in schools once noticed to avoid mobilization and manipulation of unsuspecting community members to act against teachers when they have done nothing wrong. It is our view that certain parents and learners were used against Comrade Makhanya and laid allegations that could not be substantiated.
We applaud Comrade Makhanya for co-operating with the law enforcement agencies and allowed himself to be humiliated. He has now been vindicated and walks today as a free man. We are aware of the psychological strain that he has suffered right through this ordeal and the union will keep an eye on this.
SADTU again calls on the department to withdraw the suspension of Comrade Makhanya as the court has made it clear that he has no case to answer. However, should the department decide to proceed with the case, SADTU is more than ready to make sure that Comrade Makhanya is cleared. We now have all the information about what is happening in that School.
End.
Issued by KZN SADTU Secretariat