Home News Official accused of nepotism after teacher awarded 37% salary boost

Official accused of nepotism after teacher awarded 37% salary boost

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The PSA has accused a Northern Cape Department of Education official of nepotism, fraud and corruption after he allegedly facilitated the payment of a 37% salary booster for his wife who is employed as a teacher.

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THE PUBLIC Servants Association (PSA) has accused a ZF Mgcawu district official employed at the Northern Cape Department of Education of nepotism, fraud and corruption after he allegedly facilitated the payment of a 37% salary booster for his wife who is employed as a teacher at Kalksloot Primary School in Upington.

The benefit amounts to an R8,548 service benefit as well as a R1,352 cash allowance on top of her monthly salary.

The union is calling for an investigation into what criteria were used when the benefit was awarded.

PSA provincial manager Steve Ledibane claimed that the official influenced the appointment of his “unqualified” wife to a teaching post with a salary of a qualified educator.

“In the past year, his wife was appointed at three different schools and recommended for a promotional post at the district office in human resources under the management of her husband. The official allegedly relocated his wife to be appointed at a school without following procedures. She received additional payments in benefits although she never qualified for such. It was further found that even though educators employed on a temporary basis are obligated to contribute to the Government Employees Pension Fund, the official’s wife was exempted from this rule and is getting preferential treatment.”

Ledibane added that the system was being manipulated to benefit the official’s wife at the expense of other employees.

“It has come to the PSA’s attention that there are various temporary educators who have requested to be relocated owing to personal circumstances but have not been accommodated. This situation has resulted in them having to resign as their circumstances were not being taken into consideration and accommodated.”

Ledibane stated that the educator was appointed at a school a day after she resigned from the district office, where she was working under the supervision of her husband.

“No consequence management was implemented despite various complaints that were lodged by the PSA.”

Northern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Sydney Stander explained that temporary teachers were entitled to receive a 37 percent salary boost, provided they met the set criteria.

“We will ascertain whether she met the requirements,” said Stander.

“The Department of Education appoints temporary teachers on a contract basis in place of permanent teachers for a variety of reasons such as when that teacher proceeds on sick leave, maternity leave, is suspended for misconduct or is on temporary disability leave, etc.

“In such cases, a short-term vacancy is created at the school that must be filled by a temporary teacher. Generally, teachers who are government employees qualify for certain benefits such as a housing subsidy, medical aid, annual service bonus and a pension benefit. However, temporary teachers who are appointed on a contract basis for lesser than six months do not receive these benefits. Instead, they receive the monetary equivalent of these benefits, which is calculated at 37% of their salary, added to their normal salary.”

Stander indicated that the employer could recoup the full amount from the teacher if the funds were paid out in an irregular manner.

“Relevant remedial action will be embarked upon by the official if necessary.”

Stander added that the district director was responsible for appointing post level 1 relief educators at a school for short periods not exceeding six months.

“In cases were no teachers are available because of supply and demand challenges, schools are forced to appoint unqualified teachers to teach provided they had passed the subject concerned very well or have the necessary competencies to teach the subject”

He explained that since relief temporary teachers were appointed for a maximum of six months only, it was possible that such a teacher might teach at different schools as the need arises.

“This might not necessarily amount to nepotism as suggested.”

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