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Durban – The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday lambasted the provincial department of education, accusing it of post-fixing and non-payment of increases for Grade R teachers in 2015.
At a press briefing, Sadtu spokesperson Nomarashiya Caluza called the provincial head of department (HOD), Nkosinathi Sishi, a "liar" who had misled workers.
Caluza said the union "felt an urgent need" to address the department after it failed to make back payments to Grade R teachers. Caluza said increases were promised from April and that teachers were owed nine payments of R500.
"We had met with the department on 15 December and it was agreed that the teachers would be paid R1 500 in December and the balance in January and February. The HOD made a commitment, saying there would be a 'white Christmas', but this is not true because no one has received the increase. He is a liar."
Caluza said Sadtu had given the department five days to pay the teachers.
"Thereafter, we will negotiate and if that fails, we will embark on strike action on 6 January 2016 at the ICC when [matric] results are announced."
Fixing posts
Caluza also accused the department of post-fixing, saying the position of Director of Legal Services had been advertised, but that the department had appointed two people. The position pays a salary package of R819 126 per year.
"How can they just decide to now employ two people? It is utterly scandalous to do this. The department is swelling at the head and pleads poverty whenever important expenses arise.
"Here, they are unilaterally making changes to an organogram that was carefully put together with stakeholders, including unions. We were not consulted regarding this. The MEC approves these appointments. We want to know how did she approve this post without it existing."
Caluza added that many teachers had called her to complain of the departments many discrepancies.
"It is so painful to hear a comrade phoning to say they are at the ATM, but there is not enough money there. We have officials earning hundreds of thousands and claiming plenty for petrol and other expenses. The department must act soon or we will take action."
