GroundUp reports that Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schäfer has instructed Equal Education (EE) to stop operating in the province's schools by 22 May, until such time as her department holds a meeting with the organisation.  

This followed allegations of sexual misconduct against former general secretary Tshepo Motsepe, former head of organising Luyolo Mazwembe, and former treasurer Doron Isaacs.  Although Schäfer suggested that some of the allegations might be from school children, the organisation said that was not true.  "None of the allegations relate to school children.  Once we receive a letter from the MEC, we will be in a position to consider her requests.  We look forward to receiving it and will answer any questions posed to us in detail," said EE.  In a statement on Monday, Schäfer said EE worked in schools across the province, and while at least some of the allegations appeared to be from people within the organisation's staff, it was not clear whether any pupils were involved.  "If the allegations are correct, this is hardly the type of person we need working in our schools,” she observed.  Schäfer also wanted to know whether EE conducted background checks on staff and if so, whether Motsepe, Mazwembe and Isaacs had passed the checks.  The organisation said, like the MEC, they took sexual harassment seriously.

• Read this report by Tariro Washinyira in full at GroundUp
• Read the Western Cape Education department’s press statement at SA Govt News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page