HeraldLive reports that unionist Thobile Ntola, who was fired this year as principal of Chubekile High School in Kwazakhele, Port Elizabeth, has taken the Department of Education to court, demanding reinstatement.  

His axing came after Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle demanded that all MECs deal with public servants who had been on sick leave for months, or years, but were still drawing salaries.  Ntola, who is president of the SA Public Service Union, was shown the door after more than a year of submitting one sick note after another, claiming to be suffering from depression.  The provincial government has identified education as the main department with a high number of employees on sick leave for prolonged periods.  Ntola has always maintained that there was a political ploy against him.

• Read this report by Phumulo Masualle in full at HeraldLive

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