News24 reports that according to the Department of Basic Education (DBE), at no stage has it compelled employees to be vaccinated for Covid-19.

On Wednesday, the department referred to news reports regarding a circular, signed by Director-General Mathanzima Mweli, that it had distributed on 23 July and said these reports were "misleading and misinformation". "The 'no jab, no job' narrative emanating from an article carried in a Johannesburg-based newspaper earlier this week has seemingly created confusion and fear among educators," the DBE stated. The department noted that the circular had strongly recommended that its workers be vaccinated, but at no stage did it seek to compel them. It said the circular had been to provide guidance regarding the operational requirements for educators employed in terms of the Employment of Educators Act of 1998, following the implementation of the sector's vaccination programme. The DBE explained further: "The circular also serves as a guide to managing vulnerable employees in the context of the current pandemic. The department has strongly recommended that education sector personnel should get vaccinated, but at no stage did DBE seek to compel employees to be vaccinated. In fact, in the circular, the department says that 'it respects the rights of educator who opt not to be vaccinated on constitutional, religious, cultural, comorbidity or medical grounds'." Schools reopened on Monday for the third term. The department's drive has managed to vaccinate more than 517,000 workers out of 582,000.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sesona Ngqakamba at News24

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page